The house of representatives has advanced a bill seeking to establish a National Authority for Renewable Energy to coordinate renewable energy development, expand off-grid electricity access and attract investment in clean power.
The Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Afam Ogene, representative of Ogbaru federal constituency in Anambra state and chair of the house committee on renewable energy, passed its second reading on Thursday following debate among lawmakers.
Ogene argued that transferring renewable energy responsibilities currently handled by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) to a dedicated authority would reduce overlapping functions and improve coordination across sectors.
The proposed authority would promote solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass and hydrogen energy, while supporting mini-grid and off-grid electricity projects in rural and underserved communities.
It would also encourage local manufacturing, research and technical training through incentives designed to attract investment and create jobs.
A key provision of the bill proposes allocating 40% of the rural electrification fund’s annual resources to the new authority to finance renewable energy development.
However, the proposal faced opposition during the debate. Victor Nwokolo, chair of the house committee on power, questioned the need for another institution, warning that separating renewable energy responsibilities from existing electricity oversight could duplicate functions and increase governance costs.
Ahmadu Jaha also raised concerns about institutional duplication.
Lawmakers adopted the bill for a second reading and referred it to the relevant committee for further examination. The proposed authority and funding arrangement remain subject to the legislative process.
