Power sector to get N5bn German, EU support by Q3

The German government and the European Union (EU) will jointly commit 24.5 million Euros (about N5 billion) to support Nigeria’s power sector agenda for three years from 2013 to 2016.

Contained within the concept memorandum for the Nigerian-German Energy Support Programme (NGESP), this provision will be executed from the third quarter (Q3) of this year. Germany will provide 9 million Euros while the EU contributes 15.5 million Euros to make up the entire commitment.

This contribution, to be executed by the German International agency for Cooperation (GIZ), is expected to aid Nigeria’s stride to advance her energy policy, regulatory environment, energy efficiency, institutional capacity and energy mix with particular focus on rural renewable electrification.

Thus, strengthening the core technical and structural weakness in the country especially as regards efficient energy delivery across the nation.

Chinedu Nebo, Minister of Power, in his statement on Wednesday at the inaugural NGESP workshop in Abuja, however, harped on the technical support geared to drive Nigeria’s energy mix diversification.

Nebo said, “The level of renewable energy implementation in Nigeria is minimal but being endowed with significant quantities of renewable energy sources like the sun, wind, biomass and dams for hydropower generation, Nigeria is taking various measures in implementing renewable energy/energy efficiency programmes to increase our energy mix.

“The Nigerian-German technical cooperation support programme is a welcome relief. It will provide a strong platform for efficient and effective take-off of renewable energy/energy efficiency programmes in Nigeria and its foundation will encourage private sector investments in renewable energy by supporting the government with policy regulations and cross-cutting training,” the minister added.

GIZ country director, Jacobi Sambou, stated that the programme would also assist the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in developing new courses that will optimally support Nigeria’s reformed power sector.

She said that GIZ in its capacity as an independent advisor will also offer its support towards finalising realistic and progressive policies and strategies which the country can apply to attain efficient renewable energy provisions for rural electrification.