A taskforce has been formed in Nigeria aimed at promoting renewable energy. The Decentralized Renewable Energy (DER) solutions taskforcewas recently inaugurated in Abuja according to a This Day report. FHI360, as well asPower for All, US Global Development Lab, Power Africa, USAID-Nigeria, will be helping the driving access to modern, clean and affordable electricity. The collaboration was formed under the Scaling Off Grid Energy (SOGE) Grand Challenge for Development, a partnership upon which the 20 million households in sub-Saharan Africa countries could gain access to modern clean energy.
A statement issued soon after the launch indicated that DER solutions, which could be used to achieve this objective, range from stand-alone systems to mini-grids and mobile solar farms.“This allows the delivery of energy access in a number of days – versus the years it takes to site, permit, build and manage a traditional centralized fossil fuel grid system – and can be an important tool for Nigeria to better exploit the full range of its renewable energy resources, especially with delivering energy to last-mile communities,” the statement read.
The taskforce is taking on a multi-stakeholder approach to accelerate the end of energy poverty in Nigeria. Some of the goals of the taskforce include identifying priorities and supporting specific stakeholder-led actions that will accelerate the expansion of off-grid energy in Nigeria.
“This is in line with the goals and vision of the Nigerian government’s commitment towards increasing power access in Nigeria and increasing the rate of electrification to rural areas,” the statement said.
Speaking on the development, Roseann Casey, who is the Nigerian lead for Power Africa, said: “Power Africa’s approach is based on partnership. We value the opportunity to be part of this important dialogue with diverse stakeholders who are eager to find both opportunities and solutions in the off-grid space.”
Christina Blumel of FHI 360, added: “We are very happy to have the opportunity to work with Power for All in launching the Task Force, and to see the engagement and enthusiasm around DRE in Nigeria.”
Commenting was the President of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, Segun Adaju, who said: “The DRE taskforce is coming at the very right time to support scaling of off-grid energy. It will support in removing the barriers that have held back the adoption of off-grid power by bringing the relevant stakeholders.”