The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has begun consultations on new regulations that would allow solar power users to feed excess electricity back into the national grid for commercial value.
The move comes amid a sharp rise in solar adoption. According to NERC, Nigeria imported solar panels worth ₦125.3 billion in Q1 2025 alone, while over $200 million worth of panels were imported in 2023, equivalent to more than four million units.
A statement from the Commission on Thursday noted that the country added 63.5MW of solar capacity in 2024, bringing total installed capacity to 385.7MW.
Much of this expansion, NERC said, is being driven by private investments and off-grid demand in rural communities.
“Stakeholders have requested that surplus power generated from these systems be allowed into the national grid for commercial value. The Commission has therefore drafted regulations on net billing,” said Sam Amadi, speaking on behalf of NERC.
The draft regulations, published on the Commission’s website, are open for public input until September 26, 2025, in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023.
NERC added that the framework would help deepen Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy and strengthen decentralised power generation.
