By Prince Okafor

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), a private sector renewable energy group in Nigeria, has claimed that up to 10 percent import duty is being charged on solar panel by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), despite a government directive that classification for import duty tariff on solar panel should be zero percent.

President, REAN, Mr. Segun Adaju, who disclosed this, said the development could derail the Federal Government’s plan to generate 30 percent of electricity through renewables by 2030.

But in a reaction, Public Relations Officer of NCS, Mr. Joseph Attah, told Vanguard that though it’s true that government approved zero percent tariff for solar panels, those with that come with other components are not covered under the policy.

The REAN President stated: “It has come to the attention of the Executive Committee of the REAN that our members are being forced to pay between 5 percent to 10 percent import duty on solar panel by the Nigeria Custom Service even though under the CET code 8541.4010.00 a classification for import duty tariff on solar panel should be 0 percent.

“The imposition of arbitrary port charges will accelerate value destruction within this industry and will cause prices to rise to uncompetitive levels. All over the world, the cost of solar panels is falling leading to increased adoption of renewables. Paris-based International Energy Association said that renewables accounted for almost two-thirds of net power capacity around the world in 2016, with almost 165 gigawatts (GW) coming online boosted by solar.

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