The Rural Electrification Agency, in partnership with Ernst & Young, is set to organise a workshop on improved energy access through collaboration with state governments and distribution companies.
According to a statement from Ernst & Young on Tuesday, the partnership is the sequel to the signing of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (2023).
REA, which is the government agency responsible for improving access to reliable electric power supply for rural dwellers, said that the partnership is on the back of fulfilling its mandate and ensuring the smooth delivery of some of its projects.
“The objectives of the roundtable are to create a pathway that will provide access to data on unelectrified communities, and allow for proper coordination/flow of information within the Discos, States and Federal and other private partners.
“For REA, part of the objectives of the event is to explore collaboration opportunities with relevant stakeholders; minimise the information gap between the REA, states and the Discos, and capacity building and the needs assessment framework (states, institutional, individual, and private sector perspectives), in addition, to provide a platform for accountability framework for the states and DisCos,” part of the statement read.
The workshop themed, ‘Implementing the Electricity Act 2023: Improved energy access through collaboration with states and Discos—The Nigeria outlook’, will be held later this month in Abuja.
It was revealed that while EY would provide specialised technical assistance to facilitate and coordinate the workshop, REA, as the implementing agency of the federal government under the Federal Ministry of Power, would provide the contexts with focal points on understanding the Rural Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan; challenges and barriers to implementing the RESIP and the Electricity Act 2023, including regulatory constraints, financial limitations, technical hurdles and socio-economic factors.
EY said, “As a global professional services firm, EY is committed to building a better working world with increased trust and confidence in business, sustainable growth, and greater collaboration. We want to build a better working world through our actions and by engaging with various stakeholders who count on us to deliver quality and excellent services. At EY we believe when business works better, the world works better.”
The workshop will further examine the provisions and implications of the Electricity Act 2023 in the context of rural electrification, highlighting its role in facilitating sustainable energy access, promoting renewable energy deployment, and enhancing regulatory frameworks.
REA said that it would support 250,000 households with electric mobility, mini-grids, and home systems to boost electricity in the country in 2024.
