The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued permits to several companies, including Golden Penny Power Limited and MTN Communications Nigeria Limited, for mini-grid electricity generation in an effort to improve the nation’s power supply. The permits were issued as part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to promote off-grid electricity generation and increase access to reliable power sources.
According to a report by NERC, Golden Penny Power Limited received a licence to build six off-grid gas plants in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Cross River states, with a total capacity of 100MW. This move is expected to significantly boost the power generation capacity in these regions, providing a much-needed respite to businesses and households that have long suffered from intermittent power supply.
Similarly, MTN Communications Nigeria Limited was granted a permit to build four captive generation plants across Lagos State, with a combined capacity of 15.94MW. These plants are expected to provide a reliable source of electricity for MTN’s operations in the region, reducing the company’s reliance on the national grid and helping to ensure uninterrupted service delivery to its customers.
In total, NERC issued nine new off-grid generation licences in the first quarter of 2024, with a gross capacity of 109.69 megawatts, and three new trading licences. This move is in line with the government’s efforts to promote public-private partnerships in the power sector and encourage investment in renewable energy sources.
