150
M. U. Ukponu et al.
5.2.5 Renewable Energy Policies
Nigeria has a population of about 200 million, 60% of which are mostly
rural dwellers and lack access to the grid, while even the available electricity is largely insufficient to meet the energy demands of the remaining
40% who have access to the grid.
47 To address this challenge, the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) was drafted in 2005 and revised in
2012, but the same was not approved by the Federal Government.
48
However, the Federal Government approved the Nigerian Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP)
49 in 2015 aimed at
developing Nigeria’s diverse energy resources; guaranteeing RE supply;
accelerating investment in RE development; guaranteeing energy efficiency; and ensuring effective coordination and collaboration among all
RE stakeholders.
50 It also seeks to remove the barriers that put RE at
a disadvantage relative to other energy options.
51 RE sources targeted
by the Policy are hydropower, biomass, solar, wind and geothermal,
wave and tidal energy for both on-grid; largely for urban areas, and offgrid; largely for an estimated 70% of rural dwellers.
52 The Policy also
encourages NERC to introduce tariff-related incentives and regulations
to support RE adoptions.
In furtherance to the NREEEP, the Economic Recovery and Growth
Plan (ERGP) seeks to increase power generation by optimizing nonoperational capacity, encouraging small-scale projects and pursuing longterm capacity, and ultimately improving energy efficiency by diversifying
47 Federal Ministry of Power, Nigerian Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy
(Policy Paper, 2015) [iv], http://www.power.gov.ng/download/NREEE%20POLICY%202015-%
20FEC%20APPROVED%20COPY.pdf.
48 Priscilla Offiong, ‘Nigerian Renewal Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP)’ (Climate
Scorecard , 28 February 2019), https://www.climatescorecard.org/2019/02/nigerian-renewal-ene
rgy-and-energy-efficiency-policy-nreeep/.
49 NREEEP is divided into and implemented through the National Renewable Energy Action
Plan (NREAP) and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). See Federal Ministry
of Power, (n 74) 3.
50 Federal Ministry of Power, (n 47) 9.
51 Ibid., [iv].
52 Ibid., 2–19.
M. U. Ukponu et al.
5.2.5 Renewable Energy Policies
Nigeria has a population of about 200 million, 60% of which are mostly
rural dwellers and lack access to the grid, while even the available electricity is largely insufficient to meet the energy demands of the remaining
40% who have access to the grid.
47 To address this challenge, the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) was drafted in 2005 and revised in
2012, but the same was not approved by the Federal Government.
48
However, the Federal Government approved the Nigerian Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP)
49 in 2015 aimed at
developing Nigeria’s diverse energy resources; guaranteeing RE supply;
accelerating investment in RE development; guaranteeing energy efficiency; and ensuring effective coordination and collaboration among all
RE stakeholders.
50 It also seeks to remove the barriers that put RE at
a disadvantage relative to other energy options.
51 RE sources targeted
by the Policy are hydropower, biomass, solar, wind and geothermal,
wave and tidal energy for both on-grid; largely for urban areas, and offgrid; largely for an estimated 70% of rural dwellers.
52 The Policy also
encourages NERC to introduce tariff-related incentives and regulations
to support RE adoptions.
In furtherance to the NREEEP, the Economic Recovery and Growth
Plan (ERGP) seeks to increase power generation by optimizing nonoperational capacity, encouraging small-scale projects and pursuing longterm capacity, and ultimately improving energy efficiency by diversifying
47 Federal Ministry of Power, Nigerian Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy
(Policy Paper, 2015) [iv], http://www.power.gov.ng/download/NREEE%20POLICY%202015-%
20FEC%20APPROVED%20COPY.pdf.
48 Priscilla Offiong, ‘Nigerian Renewal Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP)’ (Climate
Scorecard , 28 February 2019), https://www.climatescorecard.org/2019/02/nigerian-renewal-ene
rgy-and-energy-efficiency-policy-nreeep/.
49 NREEEP is divided into and implemented through the National Renewable Energy Action
Plan (NREAP) and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). See Federal Ministry
of Power, (n 74) 3.
50 Federal Ministry of Power, (n 47) 9.
51 Ibid., [iv].
52 Ibid., 2–19.