In a move to support Nigeria’s energy transition goals, the Federal Government has signed a £17.9 million agreement with the European Union (EU) and the German Government to fund Nigeria’s off-grid electricity project. This initiative, part of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), is now in its third phase, aiming to foster investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and rural electrification.
The EU highlighted that this new funding would enable 154,000 people to gain access to electricity and connect 30,000 households to clean cooking gas. An additional 8 megawatts of renewable energy capacity is expected to be generated. NESP, which began in 2013, is a collaborative effort by the EU, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Federal Ministry of Power in Nigeria.
Energy Transition and Sustainable Growth
At the launch event, Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of achieving a sustainable energy future. “This third phase is significant as it will provide 154,000 people with access to electricity and connect 30,000 individuals to LPG for clean cooking. The project aligns with the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s goals for energy security and sustainability,” Stefanowicz stated.
Commitment from Germany and Nigeria
Johannes Lehne, Deputy Ambassador of the German Embassy in Nigeria, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to Nigeria’s energy transition. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development had previously committed €8.9 million to NESP, with an additional €9 million recently provided by the EU.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, highlighted that NESP Phase Three aims to close the energy access gap for 100 million Nigerians lacking electricity, particularly in rural areas. Duke Benjamin, Head of Programme at NESP, noted the project’s role in electrifying remote communities that are not connected to the national grid.
This collaborative effort between Nigeria, the EU, and Germany underscores a shared commitment to achieving sustainable energy access and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
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