Why we are embracing decentralised power — Tegbe

By Firdaus Jibril

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe has given reasons why Nigeria can no longer rely solely on large central power plants to meet the country’s growing electricity demand.

Speaking at the 16th Electrical and Electronics Engineering Distinguished Lecture organised by the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Tegbe streased the need to expand decentralised power systems to improve energy access.

Represented by the Director of Renewable and Rural Power Access, Sunday Owolabi, stated this while speaking on the theme, Interconnectivity Strategy for Distributed Generation in Multi-Community Mini-Grids with Adaptive Integration Pathways in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He noted that the Electricity Act 2023 has created the legal framework for decentralised electricity generation and distribution.

He said the Act allows states, local governments and private investors to develop electricity projects, making it easier to provide power to communities that are not adequately served by the national grid.

The Minister noted that the Federal Government is implementing reforms aimed at bridging Nigeria’s energy gap through renewable energy, mini-grids and other distributed power solutions.

Delivering the lecture, Professor Isaac Agoro said Nigeria must develop local engineering solutions to address its electricity challenges instead of depending on foreign models.

According to him, the country’s electricity system faces unique challenges that require solutions designed by Nigerian engineers.

He said strengthening the country’s distribution network and making it more resilient would improve electricity access across the country.

Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Felix Adeburi, said the implementation of the Electricity Act has opened new opportunities for decentralised electricity generation.

He explained that communities can now establish and operate local electricity grids to serve multiple users, reducing dependence on the national grid.

The stakeholders agreed that expanding community mini-grids and distributed generation would play a key role in improving electricity access, particularly in underserved communities across Nigeria.