The United Kingdom will help Lagos’ efforts to improve off-grid energy access to its residents through technical aids that will enable it to make better off grid energy regulations and policies.
To accomplish this, both parties recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable UK-funded Africa Clean Energy Technical Assistance Facility (ACE-TAF) programme provide supports to strengthen the state’s policy and regulatory framework for off-grid solar.
Within the support framework, ACE-TAF will also help to improve the capacity of the state’s energy institutions and infrastructure on off-grid solar.
Lagos’ governor, Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu represented by his deputy, Mr Femi Hamzat and Britain’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Ben Llewellyn-Jones signed the agreement. The event was witnessed by Lagos’ commissioner for energy and mineral resources, Mr Olalere Odusote and the Country Manager for ACE-TAF, Mr Chibuikem Agbaegbu,
Sanwo-Olu, according to a statement from ACE-TAF expressed his commitment and support to the partnership. He also stated his eagerness to make the partnership beneficial, adding that his government was keen on improving access to energy to residents of the state.
According to him improving the policy and regulatory environment in Lagos would boost investment in its energy sector.
Llewellyn-Jones in response said that: “The UK is proud to support the Lagos state government’s effort to improve off grid access in Lagos state through the Africa Clean Energy Technical Assistance Facility (ACE TAF) programme.
“We want to see this partnership translate to improved state electrification that will support private sector entry, attract investment and create more jobs in Lagos state.”
On his part, Odusote noted that his ministry, “is working assiduously to facilitate improvement in energy access in the state,” adding that off-grid solar sector has become an important component to achieving access to energy for all in Lagos.
“The relevant policies are being put in place to encourage the uptake of off-grid solar in the state,” Odusote said while reiterating his ministry’s readiness to work with the private sector to improve access to energy in Lagos.
Similarly, Agbaegbu explained that the partnership would strengthen the collaboration between the state government and ACE-TAF towards improving reliable electricity delivery in the state and attracting increased private sector investment for off-grid solar.
The statement noted that over the past six years, the UK has supported Lagos with various off-grid energy access programmes including the installations of off-grid systems to power 172 schools and 11 health centres across the state through the Solar Nigeria Programme as well as grants to Lagos-based firms working on solar power projects.
