GEF
PROJECT ID AND TITLE: 00094142: DE-RISKING RENEWABLE ENERGY NAMA FOR THE NIGERIAN POWER SECTOR
PROVISION OF CATALYTIC EQUITY SUPPORT TO MINI-GRID DEVELOPERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF INTERCONNECTED MINI-GRIDS IN NIGERIA

1. BACKGROUND
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in collaboration with relevant agencies of the Nigerian government is currently implementing a protect titled: “De-Risking Renewable Energy NAMA/NDCs for the Nigerian Power Sector. Nigerian governments have realized that mini-grid can provide constant and affordable electricity in remote places where the population density is too low for distribution companies to economically operate and manage the community’s connection to the national grid. A mini-grid is refers to a stand-alone power system or an integrated local generation and distribution system with installed capacity below 1MW, capable of serving numerous end-users independent of the national grid. Therefore, this Cal for Expression of interest is specifically for Mini-Grid Developers desiring to operate interconnected mini-grids and have according to the existing Regulations, entered into a tripartite contract with the community and Distribution Licensee to construct, operate and/or maintain an interconnected Mini-Grid in an Undeserved Area: For the Mini-Grid Developer to qualify to participate in the GEF-UNDP’s interconnected Mini-Grids project, the tripartite contract for any selected site must have been have approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Solar PV interconnected mini-grid installations in Nigeria typically need a combination of debt and equity support. To this the viability gap of the GEF-UNDP’s interconnected Mini-Grids project would be bridged through capital grants of 10-20% of the full cost of the project to enable the mini-grid developers increase its capital base, lower their debt and tariffs while increasing customer base.