The Abia State Government, in collaboration with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), has embarked on a project to develop mini-grid regulations with the aim to expand access to electricity across the state.
The initiative which comes in response to the recently enacted Electricity Act 2023, granting states the mandate to regulate their own electricity markets, is expected to advance the state’s energy sector and position Abia as a leading state in renewable energy innovation in Nigeria.
Speaking to Newsmen at the Off- Grid Energy Stakeholders Workshop on Abia State Off Grid Regulations Framework organised in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday highlighted that the programme will focus on creating regulatory frameworks for both grid-connected and off-grid mini-grids.
“We are already working on the main electricity law which covers both generation, transmission, distribution, metering and sectors of the market and that law is at the Abia State House of Assembly.
“So this programme is an addendum that will come out from the electricity law specific to the mini grid establishment in Abia State so that is what this programme is all about. It is being sponsored by the International Solar Alliance from India”, Engr Monday stated.
He explained that the stakeholders’ engagement which involves personnel from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), is aligned with Governor Alex Otti’s manifesto, which prioritizes the utilization of renewable energy to ensure electricity access for both underserved and unserved citizens.
“The Ministry of Power and Public Utilities have the mandate to support His Excellency to fulfill his promise to Abians and one of the promises in his manifesto is to utilize the available renewable clean energy sources within the state to provide access to electricity to both underserved and underserved citizens“, he explained.
The Commissioner disclosed that the Facilitators from India and Germany, along with consultants who previously worked with the Rural Electrification Agency at the Federal level, are spearheading the technical aspects of the mini-grid regulation.
Engr. Monday while pointing out that Abia is one of the first states in Nigeria to initiate such programme, said the goal of the state government is to set standards that meet both national and international expectations.
“The Electricity market in Abia State is evolving, and our goal is to set standards that meet both national and international expectations”, he stated.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, Engr. Kachi Etolue emphasized that the initiative is part of strategic effort to position Abia among those advancing their energy sectors.
He added that the initiative would equally achieve Governor Alex Otti’s vision of providing the people with clean, renewable, and affordable energy in the upgrade space.
“Like we all know a lot of communities are beyond the grid supply and some of the ones that are within the grid supplies are actually not supplied effectively.
“What we are doing today is to creat the right framework and policy to promote the development of the upgrade energy sector.
“We are also working to attract international support and encourage private sector participation, as we know that private investment is key to driving development in any state”, Etoluo explained.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Nwanyieze Otum, expressed her gratitude to Governor Otti for his commitment to improving electricity supply across the state through the introduction of electricity regulations.
She urged the workshop participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the new policy framework for the state’s electricity regulations.
