From Premium Times Nigeria · Sharon Eboesomi · · 3m
Reps establish national renewable energy authority
Nigerian House of Representatives passes bill to create National Authority for Renewable Energy.
In brief
Nigerian House of Representatives passes bill to create National Authority for Renewable Energy. Nigeria's House of Representatives advanced a bill to establish a National Authority for Renewable Energy to regulate and promote renewable energy development. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
Reps advance renewable energy bill
The House of Representatives on Thursday advanced a bill seeking to establish a National Authority for Renewable Energy (NARE) as the principal agency responsible for regulating and promoting renewable energy development in Nigeria.
Ogene sponsors bill for second reading
The Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Afam Ogene (NDC, Anambra), representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, was passed for second reading following unanimous support by lawmakers.
Ogene explains NARE purpose
Mr Ogene, who is also Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, said the proposed authority would address overlapping responsibilities among existing institutions and provide a dedicated regulatory framework for the renewable energy sector.
NARE functions
Under the proposed legislation, NARE would regulate and supervise renewable energy activities while promoting the development of solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass and hydrogen energy.
NARE expands rural access
The authority would also be responsible for promoting mini-grid and off-grid electricity systems in rural, unserved and underserved communities, including islands.
NARE drives investment
Mr Ogene said the proposed agency would also facilitate investment in the sector through financial and regulatory incentives aimed at encouraging local manufacturing, research, innovation and skills development.
NARE diversifies energy
He said the bill would help Nigeria diversify its energy sources while expanding access to electricity beyond areas covered by the national grid.
NARE handles licensing
The proposed authority would also be empowered to handle licensing, establish standards, promote fair tariffs and provide mechanisms for resolving disputes within the renewable energy market.
NARE collaborates with NERC
The bill further provides for collaboration between NARE, NERC and the Federal Ministry of Finance on grid integration and policy coordination.
40% rural fund for NARE
A key provision of the bill proposes that 40 per cent of the annual funds available under the Rural Electrification Fund be allocated to NARE to finance renewable energy development.
Ogene funds NARE
Mr Ogene said the funding arrangement would provide the proposed authority with resources to drive renewable energy projects and expand electricity access to communities that remain outside or poorly served by the national grid.
NARE transfers projects
The bill also provides for the transfer of relevant personnel, assets and ongoing projects from existing institutions to the proposed authority.
Bill referred to committee
Lawmakers subsequently passed the bill for second reading and referred it to the relevant committee for further legislative scrutiny.
Ogene's prior work
Mr Ogene has previously led the House Committee on Renewable Energy in engagements focused on Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy, including participation at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024 and COP30 in Brazil in 2025.
What it means
Nigeria's House of Representatives advanced a bill to establish a National Authority for Renewable Energy to regulate and promote renewable energy development.
