Diplomatist Special Report Nigeria | Page 31

[SPECIAL REPORT] • • 40MW of Wind Power by 2020 30MW of biomass-fi red capacity by 2020. Incentives in The Power Sector The Federal Government of Nigeria has set-up several incentives to attract foreign direct investment into the power sector. • Tax holidays of 3 years, renewable for another 2 years • Exemption from Duty Taxes on imported equipment • Capital & Investment Allowance which can be carried forward and used in the post tax holiday period • Manufacturing of transformers, meters, control panels, switchgears, cables, and other electrical related equipment are considered as pioneer products/industries. As a result, there is tax holiday of 5-7 years for investors who invest in these areas. • Power plants using gas are assessed under the companies income tax act at a reduced rate of 30 percent • 100 percent foreign ownership of electricity plants • Repatriation of profi t with a 5 percent withholding tax • Institution of a politically independent and transparent regulatory agency for the power sector that will eff ectively enforce the established regulatory framework • Putting in place the necessary foundations, e.g. reliable transmission infrastructure that would create a level playing fi eld for effi cient private sector participation in the electricity supply • Implementation of a transparent and predicated tariff adjustment mechanism that will cover the cost of production and provide adequate returns on investment at all times. Proposed Incentives for Power Sector Manufacture of electrical equipment, appliances, parts etc. • Exemption from Income tax – Tax Holiday (Between 10 and 20 years depending on the quantum of investment) • Import duty exemption for machinery, spares, and consumables and 150 percent on R&D • 2 percent tax concession on in-plant training for a specifi ed number of years (Years depend on quantum of Investment). Preferred Vision 20-2020 Target of 40GW Renewables Coal Hydro Thermal 4 percent 10 percent 17 percent 69 percent Source: https://www.nipc.gov.ng/power/ Nigeria-India• 2018 • 31