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Sector licencesEnergyNigeria

Obtain an electricity generation licence/permit (NERC)

Authorise power generation with NERC: determine the tier (register <100kW / permit 100kW-1MW / licence for embedded or larger) → prepare technical application → apply to NERC → grant.

Procedure
4steps
Coordination
2agencies
Category
Sector licencesEnergy
Task links

Go to the exact next page

Application, requirements, forms, fees, and tracking are labelled separately.

RequirementsRead the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) service pageNigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) · nerc.gov.ng
Routing map

Who you will deal with

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)Applicant
Procedure

The steps, in order

Each route below is scoped to the step it can actually complete.

  1. 01

    Determine the authorisation tier

    Agency
    Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)
    What is required
    Isolated mini-grid <100 kW: registration only. 100 kW-1 MW: a permit. Embedded generation (via a DisCo network) or larger: a full generation licence.
    Documents
    Project capacity; connection type
    Typical timeline
    Scoping
    Use for this step
  2. 02

    Incorporate and prepare the technical application

    Agency
    Applicant
    What is required
    Incorporate and prepare technical and financial documentation; embedded generators negotiate a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a distribution licensee (DisCo).
    Documents
    Company docs; technical & financial plan; PPA arrangements
    Typical timeline
    Preparation
    Use for this step
  3. 03

    Apply to NERC

    Agency
    Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)
    What is required
    Submit the application with fees per the NERC Schedule of Fees. Statutory review is 90 days (practically 4-6 months for first-time applicants).
    Documents
    Application; fees; supporting studies
    Typical timeline
    ~90 days (statutory)
    Use for this step
  4. 04

    Grant of licence/permit

    Agency
    Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)
    What is required
    NERC grants the licence/permit — 10 years for grid-connected operations, 1 year for off-grid — subject to conditions.
    Documents
    Approved application
    Typical timeline
    On approval
    Use for this step
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