EU, German Government supports FG in guidelines for Solar mini-grid projects
PHILIP CLEMENT, ABUJA
The Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) has developed Environmental and Social Management Plan Guidelines (ESMP Guidelines) for solar mini-grid projects in Nigeria, with technical support of the European Union (EU) and the German Government, within the framework of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP).
This step aims to support the establishment of an enabling framework for private investment in solar minigrids, which will play a key role in ensuring universal access to electricity in Nigeria, especially in rural and peri-urban areas.
At the ESMP Guidelines Public Hearing event held in Abuja, Engr. Gomwalk, Celestine W. G. who represented the Director of Environmental Assessment Department spoke on the benefits of the ESMP guidelines to the development of solar mini-grid projects in Nigeria.
He stated that, “In the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Procedural Guidelines of 2017 solar energy projects is not one of the Mandatory Study Activities being a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) however the scope of deployment being major developments and frequency deems that these projects are subjected to the EIA Process.
“Hence, the ESMP guidelines for Solar Mini-Grid Projects in Nigeria was developed as an abridged form of the EIA Procedures Guidelines with the aim to aid Proponents adapt a simplified method of preparing ESMPs for proposed solar mini-grid projects.
“The simplified method is also to optimize the mini-grid projects EIA timeline and the cost of development”.
Also speaking at the Public Hearing, Ms Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section of Economic Cooperation and Energy at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the simplified ESMP Guidelines would boost private investment in the renewable energy sector.
“It will also improve the standard of living of the people by increasing access to electricity especially for those in the rural and semi-urban areas of Nigeria.
This aligns with some of the EU’s objectives of supporting more ecofriendly sources of energy and improving the standard of living of the people especially those in disadvantaged areas of the country,” she said.
The ESMP Guidelines provide a detailed step by step guide to preparing ESMPs.
It ensures that Proponents are aware of these steps and will experience more seamless method of preparing their ESMPs thus, the Public Hearing on the ESMP Guidelines was held to give full awareness to Stakeholders and Proponents on the ESMP Guidelines and to collate last comments and feedback before its final approval.
