Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 and the Development of Renewable Energy in Nigeria. Issue 1 (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aigbovo, Osaretin; Ogboka, Ebiton
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy law and policy review. Volume 7:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 20
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Renewable energy sources -- Law and legislation; Periodicals; 346.04679
• DOI: 10.4337/relp.2016.01.02
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1869-4942

Abstract

Abstract : Electric energy is a critical factor for economic growth as it supports the provision of basic domestic, medical, educational, transportation, communication, agricultural, industrial and other needs. However, Nigeria has low electric energy access. Nigeria enacted the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) in 2005 to improve electricity access in the country, but in spite of EPSRA, electricity access in Nigeria has remained one of the lowest in Africa and in the world. This is even as Nigeria has an abundance of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass and hydro which can be harnessed to meet more easily the electric energy needs of the country. This paper argues that one of the reasons for the failure of the reform thus far, is the absence of specific legal framework in EPSRA, targeted at harnessing the country's abundant renewable energy resources. The article further claims that this gap is the reason that in spite of the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy 2015 (NREEEP) put in place 10 years after the EPSRA, the contribution of renewable energy in the country's energy mix is still insignificant. It is suggested that if the electric power sector reform is to succeed, specific legal provisions should be enacted to back the policies targeted at boosting renewable energy development in Nigeria.