By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, REAN, and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA, have entered into a strategic partnership to strengthen safety standards, regulatory compliance and professional capacity within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding renewable energy sector.

The partnership, formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, is expected to boost industry coordination, deepen awareness of safety regulations and address persistent challenges linked to renewable energy installations and inspection processes nationwide.

Both organisations, during the engagement, stressed the urgent need for sustained stakeholder collaboration, stronger enforcement mechanisms and increased industry sensitisation to curb substandard practices and improve compliance with approved operational standards across the sector.

Under the agreement, REAN and NEMSA will jointly organise regular webinars, information sessions and certification examinations for renewable energy practitioners, including REAN members.

Head of Communications at REAN, Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, disclosed in a statement that the capacity-building engagements would focus on safety standards, certification requirements, inspection procedures, mini-grid regulations, Commercial and Industrial (C&I) solar standards, as well as emerging policies shaping the renewable energy industry.

According to the statement, both organisations agreed that the MoU must go beyond ceremonial signing and be driven by a clear implementation framework to achieve tangible results.

President of REAN, Mr. Ayo Ademilua, underscored the need for a dedicated coordination structure to sustain communication, ensure continuity and support possible joint inspections aimed at eliminating substandard renewable energy practices across the country.

The engagement also highlighted the importance of stronger synergy among regulatory and standards-setting agencies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and other key institutions to harmonise standards and guarantee uniform implementation within the sector.

While acknowledging that standards are developed through broad multi-stakeholder consultations, both organisations maintained that enforcement remains the responsibility of regulatory agencies.

REAN further pledged to continue supporting standardisation efforts by consistently publicising approved industry standards to promote compliance and strengthen a unified regulatory framework for Nigeria’s renewable energy industry.

The partnership, according to the statement, reflects the shared commitment of REAN and NEMSA to advancing safety, professionalism, standardisation and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s renewable energy space.