Nigeria
NIGERIA ENERGY PARTNERSHIP
The Nigeria Energy Partnership was established as a program for National Power Trading Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) and Nigeria’s recently privatized distribution utilities to promote best practices in efficiency, O&M, and regulation. The partnership:
- Introduced commercially-proven approaches to improve O&M of distribution utilities, including training protocol for utility personnel;
- Transferred “best practices” and performance standards utilized in the U.S. to different equipment and areas of power plants;
- Introduced regulatory measures that support the expansion and improved operation of environmentally and economically sound electricity distribution systems;
- Improved efficiency practices and upgrades;
- Improved reliability initiatives and measures;
- Exposed officials to strategic decision-making processes for long-term planning of equipment replacement and upgrades; and
- Reduced technical and non-technical losses in the utilities’ distribution systems.
USEA increased local capacity through our Train-the-Trainer (ToT) Meter Installation & Best Practices for NAPTIN in Nigeria. After 10 days of intensive training by Meralco Power, workshop, hands-on demo, case studies and exams, 25 NAPTIN trainers passed the final assessment after fully meeting MPA’s expectation and requirements to be considered as utility metering system engineers/trainers. In addition, USAID Power Africa donated the electric meters and MPA donated the metering supplies to NAPTIN for future training courses.
ENGENDERING UTILITIES PARTNERSHIP (2015-2017)
Historically, the power sector has been dominated by males - this is particularly true in the developing world. In recognition of and to assist in reducing the barriers caused by the gender gap in the power sector, USEA conducted an Engendering Utilities Partnership in coordination with USAID from 2015 through 2017. The partnership aimed to identify and transfer policies and corporate programs that support increased female participation in the power sector. The partnership was launched with utilities from Georgia, Jordan, Kenya, Macedonia, and Nigeria in order to help the utilities grow and adapt with the community they serve.
The Engendering Utilities Partnership helped these utilities to improve their gender policies and gender achievements by improving labor market achievements, contributing to greater operational efficiencies, increasing profits, enhancing their corporate image, and improving branding opportunities. Through the partnership, EUPP introduced best practices to the member utilities in increasing female recruitment through the introduction of gender-specific hiring techniques, creating an informal mentoring program for women; implementing gender-inclusive policies and procedures; customer service and engagement; and succession planning.
West African Power Pool Partnership
Nigeria is a member of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which was established in 1999 to act as a regional market for electricity. WAPP member countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, The Gambia, Togo, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. EUPP has worked with WAPP to implement best practices in international integrated power systems operations and management, including pitfalls to avoid and mitigation measures to minimize the risk of failure in the establishment of a regional electricity market.
