With just over 4,000 megawatts supplying nearly 220 million people, the electricity access deficit stands at about 40% nationwide. Our team of development economists, geographers and sociologists studied how mini-grids fit into the picture of electricity access expansion in Nigeria. Of interestNigeria: Solar mini-grids greasing the palm oil industry for growthThe provisions were made with the aim of directing investment towards “unserved” rural areas. More importantly, the shift in strategy doesn’t resolve the problem of affordability in rural areas, which became glaring under the isolated supply model. There is a need to broaden the Regulation for Mini-grids 2016 and the Electricity Act 2023 to unlock substantial public spending for rural electrification.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 23, 2024 12:14 UTC