A total of 103 mini-grids have so far beendeployed by the Rural Electrification Agency to expand the coverage of the light up rural Nigeria Initiative, the agency announced.
The deployment of the facilities was under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) funded by the World Bank.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo, described the deployment as a significant milestone in the agency’s Solar Hybrid Mini-grid component of the NEP project.
Salihijo said the milestone achieved by REA coincided with the hosting of the 10th Mini Grid Roundtable discussion, held virtually in conjunction with developers.
He said the electrification agency which successfully deployed the mini-grids nationwide under the Performance Based Grant (PBG) subcomponent of the NEP to signal a crucial advancement in enhancing electricity access for households, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as public facilities in rural and underserved regions of the country.
Speaking during the 10th Mini-Grid Roundtable discussion, Salihijo expressed the agency’s commitment to bridge the energy access gap in Nigeria.
“The REA was established with the mandate to increase access to electricity particularly to the rural areas by bridging the energy access deficit in Nigeria. Since inception, we have made significant progress in achieving this goal by implementing various electrification programmes – like the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) – targeted at creating lasting impacts by fostering economic growth, improving education, and enhancing the overall quality of life of Nigerians,” he said.
Highlighting the key strategy, he disclosed that one of the key strategies was using the Performance Based Grant (PBG) sub-component, a financing mechanism that provides grants to qualified developers to construct and operate mini-grids in rural communities.
So far, he said the PBG has been very successful in attracting private sector investments in Mini-Grids in the country.
Through the NEP initiative, he said over 80 mini-grids have been completed and commissioned, connecting about 32,000 households, MSMEs, and public facilities, and providing clean and reliable electricity in various parts of the country.
The Solar Hybrid Mini-grid component, he said, has witnessed remarkable success, with a total of 46,661 verified connections made to households, MSMEs, and public facilities.
The MD noted that each connection was a step towards bridging the energy gap and fostering economic development of the nation.
He said an additional 281,578 connections were in progress to further expand the project’s impact and reach.
The Head of the REA Project Management Unit of the NEP, Abba Aliyu, expressed his satisfaction at the accomplishment, saying the agency was thrilled to announce the successfully completed and commissioned 103 mini-grids as part of the NEP initiative.
This achievement, he said, underscores REA’s commitment to providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions to communities that have long been underserved.
He emphasised the transformative nature of the projects, restating that the goal has always been to empower communities with the power of electricity.
These 103 mini-grids, he said represent brighter futures, improved livelihoods, and opportunities for growth, adding that the initiative has already positively impacted over 230,000 people across Nigeria, leading to positive changes in their daily routines, economic activities, and overall quality of life.
“The installation of 5.8 MW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity underscores REA’s commitment to harnessing renewable energy sources for sustainable power solutions,” he said.
As the REA continues its efforts, he said the successful deployment of 103 mini-grids stands as a testament to the project’s dedication to creating a brighter and more electrified future for communities throughout Nigeria, we as REA was determined not to stop here.
“Our vision is to keep expanding, keep innovating, and keep bringing light to every corner of this nation,” Salihijo said.
