The Federal Government awarded 95 licenses, permits, and registration certificates for the generation of 989.42 megawatts of electricity in 2023, to boost Nigeria’s power output.
A recent analysis of the industry data showed that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, a Federal Government agency, issued power generation licenses, permits, and certificates to investors, according to The Punch.
Nigeria currently generates between 4,000 and 5,000MW of power, intending to reach 6,000MW by December this year.
According to the analysis, It was revealed that in the first quarter of 2023, NERC awarded 12 licences and permits and approved four mini-grid registrations for a total of 723MW of power.
It issued 13 permits in the second quarter for the generation of 20.06MW of power.
In the third quarter, the regulator issued 18 licences and permits for the generation of 43.18MW of energy, while the commission issued 48 licences, permits, and registration certificates for the generation of 203.18MW of power in the fourth quarter of 2023.
In the third quarter, the regulator issued 18 licences and permits for the generation of 43.18MW of energy, while the commission issued 48 licences, permits, and registration certificates for the generation of 203.18MW of power in the fourth quarter of 2023.
NERC said, “The commission approved the issuance of two new generation licences with a combined capacity of 723MW in 2023/Q1.
“Five captive power generation permits were issued alongside five permits and four registrations for mini-grids.”
In addition, NERC said it “Issued three new captive power generation permits with an aggregate capacity of 20.06MW and 10 mini-grid permits.”
The commission noted that in the third quarter of last year “five new (8.81MW) and three amendments (10.50MW) of off-grid generation licences” were issued.
For licensing and permits issued to increase power generation in the fourth quarter, NERC said it issued, “Two new off-grid generation licences with gross capacity of 7.5MW. Two new embedded generation licences with a gross capacity of 40MW.
“Renewal of one embedded generation licence (20MW). Four captive generation permits (gross capacity – 131.78MW). Eight mini-grid permits (gross capacity – 2.5MW); and 31 mini-grid registration certificates (gross capacity – 1.4MW).”
In his remark, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu noted that the federal government is now investing in new power plants.
Adelabu stated “To address our generation capacity, we are committed to both enhancing current generating assets and investing in new power plants.
“Our focus is on harnessing the rich diversity of our natural resources, from hydro to solar and beyond. Recently, generation capacity to the grid has been expanded with the addition of the 700MW newly commissioned Zungeru Hydropower Plant.
“We have also secured presidential approval to defray legacy debts to gas companies to allow efficient gas supply to the power sector going forward and a payment mechanism to address generation companies’ debts to ensure necessary maintenance is resolved and evacuation capacity optimisation.”
According to the minister, the government’s goal is not just to increase generation capacity, but also to improve power supply efficiency and dependability.
