By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and GIZ’s Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) have held talks on how to address power infrastructure vandalism and support embedded generation in the country.
The talks held during a courtesy visit by a GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) delegation led by head of Component for Sustainable Energy Planning and Access, under NESP, Milos Karic, to NERC headquarters in Abuja, according to a post on NERC’s official X handle.
The post outlined joint initiatives on the table to include stakeholder workshops on curbing vandalism and working with distribution companies (DisCos) on embedded generation to improve supply reliability within franchise areas.
In his remarks, the chairman of NERC, Dr Musiliu Oseni, appreciated the GIZ team for their sustained support and collaboration with the Commission.
He noted that the partnership between NERC and GIZ produced one of the best mini-grid regulations in Africa, describing it as a benchmark for enabling off-grid electrification and expanding access to electricity.
He called for continued collaboration to further strengthen regulatory frameworks and support the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
“The partnership between NERC and GIZ produced one of the best mini-grid regulations in Africa, a benchmark for enabling off-grid electrification and expanding access to electricity,” Dr Oseni said.
He added, “We call for continued collaboration to further strengthen regulatory frameworks and support the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).”
The GIZ team expressed interest and readiness to explore new areas of collaboration with the Commission, highlighting ongoing joint initiatives, including work on the Net-Billing Regulations and stakeholder workshops focused on curbing vandalism of power infrastructure.
“We are ready to explore new areas of collaboration with the Commission,” Karic noted, highlighting ongoing work on Net-Billing Regulations and DisCo initiatives,” it said.
The delegation also disclosed that GIZ is currently working with some distribution companies (DisCos) on embedded generation initiatives aimed at improving reliability and expanding supply within franchise areas.
According to the post, these efforts allow DisCos to host on-site power plants within their franchise areas, promising improved reliability, reduced losses, and expanded supply without overhauling the national grid.
The visit reaffirmed the partnership between NERC and GIZ, with a focus on regulatory development, electricity access, and sector sustainability.
With Nigeria’s power woes affecting millions, these steps aim to enhance reliability, cut losses, and boost sustainability.
The partnership reaffirms commitments to innovation amid challenges like grid instability and funding gaps, positioning NESI for growth.
GIZ most commonly refers to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (or German Corporation for International Cooperation) is a German federal enterprise providing international cooperation services for sustainable development. Operating worldwide, it supports the German government in fields like economic development, environment, and peacebuilding.