Federal Government’s power sector reform has received another boost re­cently as the European Union and German Agency for Interna­tional Co-operation have pledged grant and technical support to it to end persistent power crises in the country.
The financial grant which is primarily aimed at improving energy access, with focus on the renewable energy option, as well as improved energy efficiency according to Daniel Werner, Programme Director of GIZ in a presentation in Abuja weekend said that the German authorities intend to use the technical co-operation as support base for the Nigerian government’s power section transformation.
Werner who spoke in Abuja at the launch of the Nigerian En­ergy Support Programme stated that the aim was the application of grant to support investment opportunities in renewable en­ergy, energy efficiency and rural electrification, adding that 10 pilot programmes have been identified especially in Northern Nigeria and indeed other regions across the country.
He also said the scheme will provide support mechanism and policy frame work development that will ensure workable action plan.
According to him, Nigerians will be trained in new technol­ogy to install and maintain so­lar panels and other facilities. Furthermore, Werner said the scheme will also support villages with electricity in 5 states, as they would be energized by renewable energy source through solar, in addition to support for invest­ment in large renewable energy efficiency for individual homes and business premises.
Already, the EU has approved 15.5 million Euros, in addition to the 9.00 million Euro by GIZ.
In a remark at the occasion Ministe of Power, Professor Chin­edu Nebo, who was represented by Dr. Godknows Igali while ap­preciating the invaluable support in critical areas where interven­tions are required, said it was in the overall interest of the country that capacity building was em­bedded in the selected interven­tion area, so the sector’s training arm – National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), will help address training gaps of engineers who hitherto were only used to conventional power source such as Thermal, as they would now acquire new skills in renewable energy like wind, solar and biomass.

EU, GIZ boost Nigeria’s power sector with grant, technical assistance