Expert wants FG to implement renewable, energy efficiency policy framework
An energy expert, Mr Osayu Ogboghodo, has urged the Federal Government to implement the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP) framework.
Ogboghodo, a consultant with Nextier Power, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos on Friday that its implementation would drive both on and off-grid renewable energy development.
He said that it would also attract investments and improve energy efficiency in the country.
NAN reports that the NREEEP was approved by the Federal Government in April 2015 with the objective of fixing a structure to deal with Nigeria’s energy supply crisis.
Ogboghodo, while appraising the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari as he marks five years in office, noted that some progress had been made in the power sector.
He said: “I would say progress has been made, but a lot still needs to be done. The five-year Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) is looking to address the unfinished business.
“The key objectives of this Federal Government initiative are to achieve incremental power, then steady power and then uninterrupted power.
“While there have been some improvements in services since 2015, these improvements do not necessarily translate to adequate generation and grid capacity to meet the demand of the citizens. ”
According to him, apart from the PSRP, there is also a Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) to upgrade and modernise the infrastructure in the electricity supply value chain.
He explained that while these policies and programmes were laudable, there was a need for proper coordination to achieve best results.
Ogboghodo said: “From a policy/regulatory perspective, the government will need to modify the policy and regulatory framework to ensure consistency, clarity, predictability and also avoid regulatory overlaps.
“It needs to implement the NREEEP framework to drive both on and off-grid renewable energy development, attract investments and improve energy efficiency.
“Also, we need to rethink and rebuild policies, regulations and operations to restructure the on-grid and off-grid segments of the electricity supply industry on a pathway to a sustainable and customer-centric power sector”.
By Solomon Asowata
