The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced the commencement of the Net Billing Regulations 2026.
NERC, in a public notice on Wednesday, said the regulations establish a framework that enables eligible electricity customers (Prosumers) to generate electricity from renewable energy sources, primarily solar photovoltaic systems, for their own consumption and export surplus energy to the distribution network under a Net Billing Arrangement.
The objectives of the Net Billing Regulations 2026, according to the commission, are to promote the adoption of renewable energy technologies and enhance energy security and reliability for electricity consumers.
The regulations also encourage private sector participation in distributed generation, support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate efficient integration of renewable energy systems into distribution networks.
The commission said customers seeking to participate in the Net Billing Scheme must be connected to a distribution licensee’s network.
It said the customers must install renewable energy systems that comply with applicable technical standards and regulatory requirements, a Renewable Energy System (RES) with a minimum installed capacity of 50 kilowatt peak (kWp) and a maximum of 1.5 Megawatt peak (MWp).
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“Obtain approval from the relevant distribution licensee and execute a Net Billing Agreement and register with the commission,” it said.
NERC said interested customers are required to apply to their distribution licensee for a technical feasibility assessment.
It said that upon approval and execution of a Net Billing Agreement, the applicant shall register with NERC in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations.
“Approved participants shall be provided with appropriate bidirectional net metering facilities to measure electricity imported from and exported to the distribution network. Exported energy shall be credited in accordance with the export tariff approved by the commission,” NERC said.
