Kickoff of Decentralized Renewable Energy Taskforce

A Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) Taskforce to accelerate modern energy access initiatives was launched by a coalition of partners. DRE solutions—which range from stand-alone systems to mini-grids and mobile solar farms – have the advantage of being readily available, affordable and immediately deployable.

This allows the delivery of energy access in a number of days—versus the years it takes to site, permit, build and manage a traditional centralized fossil fuel grid system—and can be an important tool for Nigeria to better exploit the full range of its renewable energy resources, especially with delivering energy to last-mile communities.

The taskforce is comprised of over 32 members drawn from amongst government, donors, renewable energy companies, development finance institutions, investors, civil society organizations, and trade associations.

The taskforce launch is implemented in Nigeria by a collaborative partnership between the US Global Development Lab, Power Africa, USAID-Nigeria, FHI360 and Power for All. This collaboration was formed under the Scaling Off-Grid Energy (SOGE) Grand Challenge for Development, a partnership which aims to accelerate growth in the off-grid energy market to provide 20 million households in Sub-Saharan Africa with access to modern, clean and affordable electricity.

The taskforce is a coordination group formed to identify and implement a multi-stakeholder approach to accelerating the end of energy poverty in Nigeria. The goals of the DRE Task Force include identifying priorities and supporting specific stakeholder-led actions that will accelerate the expansion of off-grid energy in Nigeria. This is in line with the goals and vision of the Nigerian Government’s commitment towards increasing power access in Nigeria and increasing the rate of electrification to rural areas.

The taskforce also builds upon Power for All’s Call to Action held in March 2017 in Abuja, where stakeholders in the renewable energy industry (government, private sector, civil society organizations, investors, and donor agencies) each made a set of credible commitments to take action in support of and to accelerate the DRE market.

Roseann Casey, Power Africa lead for Nigeria, said: “Power Africa’s approach is based on partnership. We value the opportunity to be part of this important dialogue with diverse stakeholders who are eager to find both opportunities and solutions in the off-grid space.”

Christina Blumel of FHI 360 said, “We are very happy to have the opportunity to work with Power for All in launching the Task Force, and to see the engagement and enthusiasm around DRE in Nigeria.”

“There are numerous barriers that have prevented the Nigerian DRE sector from growing to its full potential,” said Kristina Skierka, the CEO of Power For All. “The launch of this taskforce is certainly the beginning of an energy revolution that gets partners and stakeholders in the industry, working together to unlock these barriers, accelerate the market and provide energy services to last mile communities trapped in energy poverty across Nigeria for years.”

Segun Adaju, the President of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), a leading industry trade group said, “The DRE Taskforce is coming at the very right time to support scaling of off-grid energy. It will support in removing the barriers that have held back the adoption of off-grid power by bringing the relevant stakeholders. With SMART action plans, I am convinced that this initiative is what the sector requires to enhance the rapid deployment of decentralized renewable energy.”

Original source: Power for All
Published on 15 February 2018