The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria and Husk Power Systems have agreed on a strategic partnership to deploy up to 250MW of decentralized renewable energy (DRE) projects in support of the Federal Government’s energy access, energy transition and energy security targets.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the partnership signed in Abuja on Wednesday said the partnership would focus on a range of rural and peri-urban DRE projects, including power generation and distribution – both inter-connected mini-grids (IMGs) and isolated mini-grids – rooftop C&I solar, productive use of energy (PUE) and appliance sales and financing.
The projects would support the roll-out of the $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project funded by the World Bank and administered by REA. DARES is expected to launch later in 2024.
Aside from building new clean energy infrastructure to electrify unserved and under-served communities, the agreement also outlined collaboration on innovative new models such as Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and value-added community services such as e-mobility, agricultural processing and cold storage, and clean cooking.
REA and Husk would also work together to enable the mass adoption of energy efficient appliances and PUE devices through sales, distribution and credit financing.
Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu, said the partnership with Husk represents a historic leap forward in the agency’s vision for a network of Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) that can deliver clean and reliable electricity to every corner of Nigeria.
“By joining forces with Husk Power, we are not only positioned to achieve our ambitious renewable energy deployment goals but also to establish a model that can inspire others around the world,” he said.
Co-Founder and CEO, Husk Power Systems, Manoj Sinha, said: “To achieve universal electrification in Nigeria and supercharge the rural economy, stronger and more ambitious public-private partnership (PPP) is essential. Now is the moment to go big or go home. Thanks to the vision and commitment of REA, this strategic partnership will fast-track the deployment of Husk’s AI-enabled energy platform, improve the lives of millions of Nigerians, displace tens of thousands of diesel generators and enhance climate adaptation and resilience. We will tailor our solutions to the needs of each community, giving them the ability to chart their own path to prosperity.”
Husk has been present in Nigeria since 2020, and has successfully delivered reliable, clean electricity to households, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and factories, health clinics, schools, markets and public institutions. As part of its Africa Sunshot initiative announced in 2023, Husk has set a target of having 1,000 minigrids in Nigeria, and another 1,500 in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
The REA is a Federal Government of Nigeria Agency under the Ministry of Power, with the mandate to actualize the national ambition to achieve universal access. The Agency pursues this mission through a blend of public and mobilized funding from partners and the private sector to provide clean and sustainable energy access to Nigerians in underserved and un-served communities.
Husk is an award-winning clean energy company serving rural and peri-urban Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2024, Husk was named one of Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World, ranking #24 overall, and #1 in the energy category. Husk’s AI-powered energy platform, centered around community solar minigrids, provides 24/7 renewable power to households, commercial customers, institutions and small factories. It also delivers a range of other products and services, including e-commerce and credit-financing of branded appliances for home and commercial use, as well as community-based solutions for e-mobility and the agricultural value chain. Husk’s mission is to supercharge 8economic growth and social well-being in rural communities that are unserved and underserved.
