Licensing Regulations In The Nigerian Power Sector

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)" is the independent body established by section 31 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act ("EPSR Act") 2005 to undertake technical and economic regulation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. The NERC is tasked with the responsibility of issuing and regulating licenses for power supply in Nigeria. In order to carry out this responsibility, the NERC has established the NERC Licensing and Operating Fees Regulation 2010 responsible for regulating the application processes and requirements for obtaining a power license in Nigeria. Nigeria has twenty-three (23) power generating plants connected to the national grid with the capacity to generate 11,165.4 MW of electricity¹. These plants are managed by generation companies (GenCos), Independent Power Providers, and Niger Delta Holding Company.² The NERC has its head-quarters in Abuja³, six zonal offices in the six geopolitical zones of the country,⁴ and is