The Federal Government has promise to enhance electricity supply nationwide through it short-term focus in the power sector aimed to prioritize metering, distribution, and transmission infrastructure.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, announced this development during the 3rd Roundtable on Enforcement of Technical Standards, Regulations, and Mandate of NEMSA.
Adelabu highlighted the upcoming power sector strategy roadmap, emphasizing on a bottom-up approach to prioritize the impact over the previous top-down strategies.
Adelabu stated that, “We will focus on customers, down to distribution and transmission infrastructures in the short term, ensuring a significant portion of currently generated power reaches consumers.”
He assured attention to the generation segment, particularly in distributed power (Embedded) from renewable energy sources, while concurrently advancing base-load power through thermal and hydro plants in the medium to long term.
The Minister, who emphasized regional energy potentials, cited solar energy in the North, small hydro power plants in the Middle-Belt and South-west, hybridized with solar for maximum output.
Coastal cities were identified for wind energy utilization. These strategies will be revealed after a forthcoming retreat with electricity value chain stakeholders.
Adelabu also urged NEMSA to adapt to the decentralization of the sector, with State Governments participating under the new Electricity Act of 2023. Stressing that NEMSA’s role as the lead enforcer of technical and regulatory standards would encouraged collective efforts towards achieving government’s mandate for regular and sustainable power supply.
The Minister concluded by stating collaboration with the National Council on Power to develop the integrated National Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan for submission to the Federal Executive Council.
Engr. Tukur Tahil Aliyu, CEO of NEMSA, noted the endorsement of technical standards and regulations, inspection, testing, and certification of electricity installations and instruments.
