About Us
The International Development Institute (IDI) offers customized training programs tailored to the specific needs of regulatory agencies, utilities, policymakers, and private sector stakeholders. In addition to classroom-based modules, IDI facilitates practical learning opportunities through site visits to leading institutions such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Maryland Public Utilities Commission, United States Energy Information Agency (USEIA), National Association of Utility Regulatory Commissioners (NAURC), World Bank and various State regulatory agencies in the United States. These immersive experiences allow participants to observe international best practices firsthand, engage with regulators and industry experts, and apply insights directly to the African (Nigerian) context.
Foundation for Utilities (Energy/Water) Regulation:
This initial session on Foundation for Energy Regulation will introduce participants to the fundamental principles of energy regulation and their relevance to [Nigeria’s] evolving electricity sector through an IDI Energy/Utility Regulation Guidebook. Our Guidebook and related intro courses will explore key regulatory values such as independence, transparency, accountability, predictability, and consumer protection, emphasizing their importance in building trust and credibility within the electricity market. Participants in our facilitated sessions will gain insights into how effective regulation can safeguard consumer rights, ensure fairness in pricing, and promote efficiency while encouraging private sector investment. The training will also address the delicate balance between government oversight, industry growth, and consumer interests, highlighting mechanisms that strengthen governance in regulatory institutions. Through case studies drawn from global best practices and [Nigerian] experiences, participants will examine how these principles are applied in practice. By the end of the session, they will be equipped to understand the rationale for regulatory independence, identify strategies to enhance consumer protection, and apply transparency and accountability standards in decision-making, thereby contributing to a more reliable and sustainable electricity market.
Foundations of Energy Regulation
Introduction
- Purpose of the Program: To introduce participants to the fundamental principles of energy regulation in the electricity sector and inter-related utilities (including water).
- Why it Matters: Reliable regulation builds trust, supports investment, and protects consumers.
Module 1: The Role of Energy Regulation
- What is energy and related utility regulation?
- Historical evolution of regulation in electricity and interrelated markets.
- Regulatory objectives: efficiency, equity, sustainability, and security.
- The evolving electricity sector: decentralization, renewable integration, digitalization, and climate imperatives.
Module 2: Core Regulatory Values
- Independence – insulating regulators from undue political and industry influence.
- Transparency – clear rules, accessible information, stakeholder engagement.
- Accountability – regulators answerable to the public, government, and industry.
- Predictability – stable frameworks that reduce investment risk.
- Consumer Protection – ensuring fair tariffs, service quality, and rights.
Case Study Highlight: An independent regulatory authority in the EU or Latin America as a model.
Module 3: Regulatory Functions and Tools
- Licensing and permitting.
- Tariff setting and price regulation.
- Market monitoring and competition oversight.
- Service quality standards.
- Dispute resolution.
Case Study Highlight: Example of cost-reflective tariff setting that balances consumer affordability and investor confidence.
Module 4: Balancing Competing Interests
- Government oversight vs. industry growth – avoiding overreach while preventing market abuse.
- Investor confidence vs. consumer affordability – tools like subsidies, cross-subsidies, or phased pricing reforms.
- Innovation vs. reliability – integrating new technologies without jeopardizing stability.
Module 5: Strengthening Governance in Regulatory Institutions
- Governance structures: boards, commissions, and technical units.
- Safeguards for independence (legal, financial, operational).
- Mechanisms for transparency and accountability: public consultations, annual reports, judicial reviews.
- Building trust with stakeholders: communication strategies.
Module 6: Global Best Practices
- Lessons from independent regulators in the EU, U.S., Africa, and Asia.
- Regional integration examples (e.g., EU power markets, West African Power Pool).
- Innovations in consumer engagement (digital complaint systems, tariff simulators).
Module 7: Practical Application for Participants
- How to apply principles in practice:
- Design a transparent tariff consultation.
- Draft consumer protection guidelines.
- Develop accountability reporting mechanisms.
- Role-playing exercises: regulator, utility, government, consumer advocacy.
- Self-assessment checklist: independence, transparency, accountability, predictability, consumer protection.
Annexes
- Glossary of regulatory terms.
- Templates for regulatory notices and stakeholder consultations.
- Reading list of global regulatory frameworks and landmark cases.
- Resource links: World Bank, IEA, IRENA, ERRA, NARUC, AFUR.
Focused Course: Microgrids for Reliable Power: Opportunities and Challenge Common to Electric Power, Gas and Water utilities
Our training session on Microgrids for Reliable Power: Opportunities and Challenge will focus on the role of microgrids in enhancing electricity reliability and expanding access to underserved areas – leveraging inter-related utilities. Participants will explore the concept, design, and applications of microgrids, understanding how they can address persistent threats to [Nigeria’s] power supply such as grid instability, high transmission losses, and limited rural electrification. The training will examine the barriers to microgrid development, including regulatory hurdles, financing challenges, and technological constraints, while also highlighting policy frameworks and incentives that can encourage adoption. Drawing from international best practices and emerging local experiences, participants will gain practical insights into scalable microgrid solutions that align with [Nigeria’s] electricity, water and gas aspirational goals. By the end of the session, they will be able to assess the potential of microgrids, identify key barriers to implementation, and explore pathways for policy support, community engagement, and private sector investment to accelerate microgrid deployment in Nigeria.
Understanding Energy Systems and Sustainability
This interactive session will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of modern energy systems and the strategies required to make them more sustainable. It begins with an introduction to energy sources, covering both renewable options such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, and non-renewable sources like coal, oil, and gas. Building on this foundation, participants will examine the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, gaining a clear understanding of how energy flows through the system to reach end-users. The session will also highlight patterns of energy consumption and their implications for planning and policy.
A key component will be energy efficiency and conservation, where participants will learn about the role of energy audits, demand-side management, and efficiency standards in reducing costs and enhancing system reliability. Finally, the session will explore renewable energy integration, focusing on the opportunities and challenges of incorporating diverse renewable sources into national and state-level planning. Drawing on practical case studies, participants will develop a systems-level perspective on how to design, regulate, and manage energy infrastructure in ways that promote reliability, affordability, and sustainability.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to understand the energy value chain, evaluate opportunities for energy efficiency and conservation, and explore pathways for renewable energy adoption in [Nigeria’s] evolving power sector.
Blending technical content with participatory facilitation so the session doesn’t just teach, but actually engages participants in making meaning together is the real challenge. Using Technology of Participation (ToP) methods is perfect for this kind of applied learning. Below is a structured outline for how the interactive session could be designed:
Tariff Design for Sustainable Electricity Markets
This session will equip participants with a practical understanding of modern tariff design and its critical role in ensuring fair, efficient, and sustainable electricity markets. It will begin with an overview of the principles of tariff design, including transparency, cost-reflectivity, efficiency, and equity, emphasizing how these principles balance the interests of utilities, investors, and consumers. Participants will explore different tariff structures and methodologies, such as flat rates, block tariffs, and time-of-use pricing, and examine approaches to cost allocation that promote fairness while encouraging investment in the sector. The training will also provide insight into the procedures for tariff review by utilities, including the regulatory frameworks and stakeholder consultation processes that guide such reviews. Through case studies and practical exercises, participants will learn how to develop pricing mechanisms that are both fair and efficient, ensuring financial sustainability for service providers while maintaining affordability and protecting consumer rights. By the end of the session, participants will have the knowledge to critically assess tariff proposals, contribute to transparent review processes, and design tariff structures aligned with Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2023 and international best practices.
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in the Electricity Market
Our session on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in the Electricity Market will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), which are essential instruments for ensuring the financial viability of electricity projects. Participants will explore the fundamentals of PPAs, including their purpose, structure, and key provisions such as pricing, risk allocation, termination clauses, and dispute resolution. Special attention will be given to the different types of PPAs, with a focus on renewable energy contracts, highlighting how they can support the growth of solar, wind, and hydro projects within Nigeria’s electricity market. The training will also discuss the role of regulators, utilities, and private investors in PPA negotiation and implementation. By the end of the session, participants will be able to interpret, evaluate, and contribute to the design of PPAs, ensuring they align with the objectives of the Electricity Act 2023 while balancing investor confidence, utility sustainability, and consumer protection.
Vesting Contracts and Their Role in Market Stabilization
Our customized training session on Vesting Contracts and Their Role in Market Stabilization will introduce participants to the concept of vesting contracts, an important transitional tool in electricity market reform. Participants will learn how vesting contracts are designed to allocate market risks, stabilize tariffs, and ensure revenue adequacy during the early stages of market liberalization. The session will explain the structure and purpose of vesting contracts, their application in Nigeria’s electricity market, and their impact on utilities, generators, and consumers. Case studies from Nigeria and other jurisdictions will illustrate how vesting contracts have been used to maintain stability, encourage private investment, and protect consumers during sector reform. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped to analyze vesting contracts, understand their role in tariff determination, and evaluate their effectiveness as a mechanism for market transition and stability.
vesting contracts are a niche but critical piece of electricity market reform, especially in countries like Nigeria moving from single-buyer models toward competitive markets. Since this is another one-session customized training, here’s a structured outline you could deliver directly in a classroom or workshop setting:
Enforcement and Compliance in Electricity Regulation
This session will focus on the critical role of enforcement and compliance mechanisms in ensuring the effectiveness of electricity sector regulation. Designed specifically for compliance officers, legal practitioners, and policymakers, the training will introduce participants to the tools and strategies regulators use to monitor compliance, including licensing conditions, reporting requirements, inspections, and audits. It will also cover the procedures for enforcement, such as issuing directives, imposing fines and penalties, suspending or revoking licenses, and handling disputes.
Emphasis will be placed on ensuring that enforcement actions are transparent, proportionate, and predictable, thereby strengthening investor confidence while safeguarding consumer rights. Drawing from Nigerian experiences and international best practices, participants will explore how regulators can foster a culture of compliance across the electricity value chain. By the end of the session, they will be equipped to design and implement effective monitoring frameworks, apply enforcement measures fairly, and align regulatory actions with legal and policy frameworks in accordance with the Electricity Act 2023.
Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Their Role in Electricity Markets
This session will provide participants with a clear understanding of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), their function within the electricity market, and their importance to Nigeria’s power sector development. Participants will explore how IPPs operate as private entities that generate electricity for sale to utilities, governments, or directly to consumers under contractual arrangements such as Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The training will examine the contribution of IPPs to expanding generation capacity, diversifying energy sources, and reducing dependence on government-owned utilities.
Special focus will be given to the enabling legal and regulatory frameworks that support IPP operations, as well as the challenges they face, including financing constraints, tariff negotiations, grid integration, and regulatory uncertainties. Case studies of successful IPP projects, particularly in renewable energy, will highlight how they can drive investment, promote innovation, and enhance energy security. By the end of the session, participants — especially policymakers, regulators, utilities, and investors — will understand the strategic importance of IPPs, the conditions required for their success, and their role in achieving Nigeria’s electricity reform goals under the Electricity Act 2023.