Understanding Mini-Grids and Captive Power Systems in Nigeria’s Electricity Landscape

Nigeria, with its vast population and growing economy, faces significant challenges in providing reliable electricity. Many rural and remote areas remain underserved or off the national grid. Mini-grids offer a solution by delivering power to these areas where the traditional grid is unreliable.

On the other hand, captive power systems are used in larger commercial and industrial settings, such as factories, hospitals, and universities, where a stable power supply is critical. These systems allow single users to generate their own electricity, ensuring consistent energy access and reducing reliance on the national grid. Together, mini-grids and captive power systems address Nigeria’s diverse energy needs across rural and urban areas.

What Are Mini-Grids and Captive Power Plants?

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) defines mini-grids as any electricity supply system with its own generation capacity, supplying electricity to more than one customer and which can operate in isolation from or be connected to a Distribution Licensee’s Network, often generating between 0kW and 1MW Typically, mini-grids serve larger communities or multiple villages. These systems often incorporate renewable energy sources such as solar, supplemented by batteries or backup generators to ensure a stable electricity supply.

A captive power plant refers to electricity generated which exceeds 1MW for the purpose of consumption by the generator, and which is consumed by the generator itself, and not sold to a third party. This type of power generation is typically used by industries, commercial establishments, or large institutions to ensure a reliable and consistent power supply, often due to the inadequacies or unreliability of the national grid.

Differences between Mini-Grids and Captive Power Plants

1. Purpose and usage

Mini-grids are designed to supply electricity to multiple customers, typically in remote or rural communities and often include households, small businesses, and public facilities. Captive Power on the other hand is intended for the exclusive use of the generator, usually to ensure a reliable power supply for a specific entity. They supply power to a single industrial, commercial, or large institutional entity, such as a factory or university.

2. Contractual Agreement

Mini-grids are typically owned and operated by third-party providers, such as developers, but are implemented only after signing an agreement with the community head on behalf of the community members where the mini-grid will be deployed. This ensures that the community’s needs and expectations are addressed, fostering collaboration and trust.

On the other hand, captive power plants are owned and operated exclusively for the benefit of the owner, without the intention to sell power to the public. The agreement for captive power is usually between the developer and the sole beneficiary of the power generation. This agreement can take the form of a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or a lease-to-own agreement, allowing the beneficiary to secure reliable electricity tailored to their specific needs.

3. Grid Connectivity

Mini-Grids are often deployed in communities with little to no electricity supply. They can be classified into isolated mini-grids and interconnected mini-grids:

Isolated Mini-Grids operate independently (off-grid) to provide essential power to unserved areas. They function autonomously, supplying electricity where traditional grid access is absent or impractical. Interconnected Mini-Grids can be connected to the main grid (on-grid) to supplement and stabilize the national power supply. These mini-grids enhance grid resilience and allow for the exchange of electricity with the national grid, optimizing energy distribution and reliability.

In contrast, Captive Power Systems are typically used as a backup to traditional grid electricity to ensure reliable power for specific facilities. They usually operate independently but may connect to the grid for supplementary purposes or during high-demand periods.

4. Economic Model

For mini-grids, revenue is generated by selling electricity to multiple customers, often with a tariff system and may involve public-private partnerships, community investments, or government subsidies to ensure financial viability. Captive power systems are primarily funded by the owning entity to reduce reliance on the unreliable national grid. However, due to the high costs of large-scale projects (up to a billion naira), external funding such as debt, equity, or mezzanine loans is often required. For revenue generation, an agreed-upon tariff is set between both parties that would allow the energy company to recoup the capital investment made towards this project from funding sources in the form of debt, equity, or mezzanine loans.

The Nigerian Context

Nigeria’s national grid is often unreliable, with frequent power outages. This makes it difficult for people and businesses to rely solely on grid electricity. While mini-grids are particularly in rural areas that are either unserved or underserved by the traditional grid, in urban and peri-urban areas, large businesses and institutions often opt for captive power generation as a power supply backup.

The Nigerian government has recognised the potential of mini-grids and captive power and has implemented policies to support their development. Agencies like the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and Federal Ministry of Power (FMP), work to promote off-grid solutions.

The private sector is also playing a crucial role. Various companies are investing in mini-grid and captive power generation projects across the country, providing innovative solutions and financing models to make electricity more accessible.

While mini-grids and captive power generation hold great promise, they face challenges such as high initial costs, maintenance issues, and regulatory hurdles. However, ongoing technological advancements and supportive government policies are expected to address these challenges.

The future of Nigeria’s electricity sector looks brighter with the integration of mini-grids and captive power generation. These innovative solutions are key to achieving universal electricity access and driving sustainable development in the country.

Mini-grids and captive power generation are transforming the way electricity is delivered in Nigeria. By providing reliable, sustainable, and affordable power to underserved areas, they are helping to bridge the energy gap and promote economic growth. As Nigeria continues to develop its electricity infrastructure, mini-grids and captive power generation will play an increasingly important role in ensuring that every Nigerian has access to the power they need.