Anambra State Productive Energy Development Bill

Purpose

To create a structured framework for deploying mini-grids, solar systems, battery storage and productive-use energy solutions in Anambra State, prioritised by economic use.

Problem Statement

Unreliable and expensive power is one of the largest hidden costs for small businesses across Anambra State, limiting operating hours, spoiling perishable goods and raising production costs relative to better-served areas.

Legislative Objectives

• Establish a framework for mini-grid, solar and battery-storage deployment prioritised by productive use.
• Sequence deployment: markets and public facilities first, then productive clusters, then digital and technology facilities.
• Encourage private and development-partner investment in generation and distribution.
• Support SME adoption of productive-use energy systems.

Definitions

Productive-Use Energy

Energy systems sized and sited to directly support commercial or productive activity, as distinct from purely residential lighting.

Mini-Grid

A small-scale, localised electricity generation and distribution system serving a defined cluster of users.

Proposed Provisions

1. 1.A phased deployment framework: Phase 1 markets and public facilities; Phase 2 productive clusters; Phase 3 digital and technology facilities; Phase 4 future SEZ infrastructure.
2. 2.Criteria for prioritising sites by economic use and number of businesses served.
3. 3.A mechanism for private-sector and development-partner co-investment in generation and distribution assets.
4. 4.Coordination with the Public Facilities Renewable Energy Bill on shared public-building deployments.

Institutional Responsibilities

• Relevant State ministry responsible for power and energy, coordinating statewide site prioritisation with the Rural Electrification Agency and licensed mini-grid operators.
• Office of the Member representing Nnewi South I to advocate for local site prioritisation.
• Market associations and productive-cluster representatives as demand-aggregation partners.

Financing Implications

Primarily structured around private and development-finance investment (development banks, renewable-energy investors, the Rural Electrification Agency's Nigeria Electrification Project and similar programmes), with government's role focused on site identification, demand aggregation and regulatory facilitation rather than direct asset ownership.

Implementation Mechanism

2027: site assessment and demand aggregation at priority markets. 2028: first mini-grid and solar pilots at markets and public facilities, sequenced with the Power for Production Programme.

Monitoring Mechanism

Tracked under the Power category of the Accountability Dashboard: facilities electrified, productive clusters supported, renewable capacity installed.

Expected Outcomes

• Markets and public facilities with power reliable enough to extend operating hours.
• Reduced energy costs for participating small businesses.
• A pipeline of bankable energy projects for development-partner and private investment.

Legal Considerations

This proposal is intended to operate within the legislative competence of the Anambra State House of Assembly and in conformity with applicable federal law, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Land Use Act, the Public Procurement Act and relevant sector legislation. Final drafting will be reviewed by legislative counsel prior to introduction. Energy generation and distribution activity will be structured to comply with applicable Electric Power Sector Reform Act provisions and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission requirements for mini-grid and embedded-generation licensing.