The Federal Government has announced that the proposed ban on importing photovoltaic (PV) solar panels will not be implemented immediately.
Abba Aliyu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Rural Electrification Agency, said this in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, that the government is not yet contemplating such a ban.
He explained that while Nigeria has initiated the production of solar panels, the current manufacturing capacity remains insufficient to meet the nation’s demand for power generation and to achieve universal energy access. He emphasised that the country’s domestic production capabilities are still in the early stages.
Recall that in March, the Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting local solar panel manufacturing while restricting imports in the future.
Nnaji highlighted the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), which has started producing solar panels alongside private sector efforts in manufacturing. He added that Nigeria plans to reduce imports by bolstering local industries through support and Presidential Executive Order No. 5.
Aliyu also pointed out that the country has already spent over ₦200 billion importing PV panels. Still, he stressed that the primary goal is to develop domestic renewable energy equipment manufacturing. He noted that Lagos, as the centre of excellence, would spearhead efforts to localise production.
During a recent roundtable with the Lagos State Government, Aliyu outlined the agency’s focus on domestic manufacturing of renewable energy products, which he said is crucial for long-term sustainability. However, he clarified that the proposed import ban would only be considered once Nigeria’s production capacity reaches the necessary levels to meet the nation’s energy needs.
“We are not banning solar importation for now,” Aliyu stated. “We are incentivising our local manufacturing. But for now, we cannot address the needs of the country. We are working to change that.”
Aliyu also shared that there are ongoing efforts to ramp up the country’s PV panel manufacturing, including a 600-megawatt manufacturing capacity currently in development.
Additionally, the agency is facilitating the establishment of a lithium battery assembly plant in Lagos, which will play a key role in the country’s renewable energy sector. Discussions are underway with an oil and gas company to enter the renewable energy market with a 14-stage lithium battery manufacturing plant.
According to Aliyu, these initiatives are part of the broader strategy to position Nigeria as a key player in renewable energy production, emphasising local manufacturing and job creation.
Source: The Electricity Hub
