81320184-Capacity building and certification for Renewable Energy (RE) & Energy Efficiency (EE)

The Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), now in its third phase of implementation, is focused on increasing investment and access to sustainable energy in Nigeria. Its core goal is to accelerate market growth for renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) by strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders and supporting structures. The program has a strong focus on capacity building a with plan to train up to 50 solar mini-grid developers and build local expertise of trainers to bridge the capacity gap in the sector. NESP supports the Nigerian Clean Energy Certification Scheme, which is spearheaded by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). The main goals of this certification scheme are: - To equip young professionals with skills for careers in clean energy (e.g., solar, mini-grids, energy management). - To ensure quality assurance and competency in installations and maintenance, thereby reducing market barriers. - To create a pool of qualified local professionals. - To facilitate the mobility of certified professionals across the ECOWAS region, as the scheme is aligned with the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Scheme Skills (ESECS). NESP works with various partners, including ministries (e.g., Ministries of Power and Works & Housing), regulatory bodies (COREN, ARCON), academic institutions, and private companies. The program also has a specific commitment to increasing the representation of women in the RE and EE sectors.