Lagos State off-grid electrification strategy and action plan announced

By Nomvuyo Tena

The Lagos State Government has announced that it has developed the Lagos State Off-Grid Electrification Strategy and Action Plan.

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, yesterday announced that it had developed the strategy and action plan with support from the British-funded Africa Clean Energy Technical Assistance Facility (ACE-TAF).

The government said the programme, which was being implemented by Tetra Tech International Development and funded by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), was geared towards improvement of the off-grid energy access in Lagos State.

Speaking during the formal handover ceremony in Ikeja, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Olalere Odusote, explained that the ministry was working to improve energy access in the state. He recalled that in 2021, the government developed the Lagos State Electricity Policy to articulate its vision for creating a viable sub-national electricity sector that catered fully to the needs of its citizens, while also enabling significant socio-economic growth.

Odusote explained that with the emergence of the off-grid solar sector as an important component in achieving access to energy for all in the State, the ministry had developed the Lagos State Off-Grid Electrification Strategy and Plan with the support of ACE-TAF to ensure the implementation of the electricity policy.

Speaking also at the event, ACE-TAF Nigeria Country Manager, Chibuikem Agbaegbu, said he was delighted to see the collaboration with Lagos State government to improve energy access to the people of Lagos. Agbaegbu said in 2021, AC-TAF had committed to supporting the state government in improving the environment for off-grid solar. The organisation had done so through its support in the development of the Lagos State Electricity Policy and the Lagos State Off-Grid Electrification Strategy and Action Plan, he said.

Agbaegbu stated that the Off-Grid Electrification Strategy and Plan further underscored the state government’s commitment to clean off-grid electrification, thereby enabling private sector investment in its off-grid electricity market.