Solar Power as a Catalyst for Electricity Access: Assessing the Impacts of the NERC Mini-grid Regulation 2016

ABSTRACT:

Nigeria purports to pursue the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 on universal access to clean energy, of which solar power has potential to make significant contribution.

The NERC Mini-Grid Regulation provides a leverage in this regard. However, little progress has been made towards electricity access since the NERC Regulation was promulgated and the progress made so far is outpaced by population growth.

The situation reveals two logical conclusions. The progress made thus far is an indication that the existing legal framework can work to deliver electricity access, if properly implemented.

The second point is that the scale of progress needed is in multiple folds of what is currently on the ground, in view of the projection of what the country’s population is likely to be in 2030, when the SDG 7 is meant to be achieved.

This paper explores the importance of electricity access for sustainable development and presents the debate on whether it should be considered a fundamental right.

It examines the existing legal framework and the current state of electricity access in Nigeria, focusing on the NERC Mini-Grid Regulation.

The paper recognizes the limited progress made in expanding electricity access, indicating that effective implementation of the right legal and regulatory framework can drive positive change.

The paper advocates for leveraging on solar power to boost access to electricity and it offers recommendations that encourage innovative approaches.

 

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Solar Power as a Catalyst for Electricity Access: Assessing the Impacts of the NERC Mini-grid Regulation 2016

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