Grid collapse: Shettima demands decentralisation of electricity

Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that the National Economic Council (NEC) will adopt measures to speed up the decentralisation of the national grid, to put an end to the incessant collapse that has plunged some states in the North into total darkness. He listed some of the measures for the decentralisation of the national […]

Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that the National Economic Council (NEC) will adopt measures to speed up the decentralisation of the national grid, to put an end to the incessant collapse that has plunged some states in the North into total darkness.

He listed some of the measures for the decentralisation of the national grid to include the establishment of mini-grids, and solar and renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaic and wind turbines.

Speaking at the 145th NEC meeting on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima, who is the Chairman of NEC, said the burden of accountability has compelled the government to never look away from these issues.

He stressed the urgent need for the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan (NESIP), emphasising that the energy sector must embrace the potential of renewable energy, as well as leverage solar and mini-grid solutions designed to meet regional electricity demands.

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The VP said, “A robust economy is the backbone of every nation. The recent blackouts caused by the actions of vandals remind us of our urgent need to expand our energy infrastructure. I believe the governors here would agree that the decentralisation of electricity is our path forward.

“We will continue to promote the constitutional framework that empowers constituent states within the Nigerian federation to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid. Together, we can make instability a relic of the past.

“Furthermore, our energy sector must embrace the potential of renewable energy. We must leverage solar and mini-grid solutions tailored to regional needs. I urge the Council to support the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan (NESIP).