The Rural Electrification Agency has announced the construction of approximately 103 mini-grids across Nigeria, thanks to the Performance Based Grant (PBG) subcomponent of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) initiative.
Ahmad Salihijo, the Agency’s Managing Director, shared this exciting news on Wednesday, during the 10th mini-grid virtual roundtable discussion in Abuja.
These mini-grids represent a significant leap forward in expanding electricity access for rural households, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as public facilities in underserved regions of Nigeria.
Salihijo explained that the NEP is a private-sector-driven federal government initiative designed to address the energy access deficit by providing electricity to rural communities through various means, including mini-grids, Solar Home Systems (SHS), captive power plants, and productive use appliances.
“NEP is a federal government initiative that is private-sector driven and seeks to bridge the energy access deficit by providing electricity to households, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), educational and healthcare facilities in unsaved and underserved rural communities through the deployment of mini-grid, Solar Home Systems (SHS), captive power plants and productive use appliances to ensure sustainability of these off-grid solutions” he said.
The PBG subcomponent is a critical strategy employed by the agency to achieve this goal. It provides grants to qualified developers to construct and operate mini-grids in rural communities, attracting private-sector investments in these projects.
Through the NEP, more than 80 mini-grids have already been completed and commissioned, connecting approximately 32,000 households, MSMEs, and public facilities, providing clean and reliable electricity.
The Solar Hybrid Mini-grid component has been particularly successful, with over 46,000 verified connections and another 281,000 connections in progress.
“The Solar Hybrid Mini-grid component has witnessed remarkable success, with a total of 46,661 verified connections made to households, MSMEs, and public facilities,” he stated.
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Each connection represents a step toward bridging the energy gap and promoting economic development.
This initiative is not only bringing light to communities but also fostering growth opportunities and improving the quality of life for over 230,000 people across Nigeria.
“An additional 281,578 connections are in progress, poised to further expand the project’s impact and reach,” he noted.
Abba Aliyu, the head of the REA project management unit of the NEP, expressed satisfaction with the project’s accomplishments, highlighting the agency’s commitment to providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions to underserved communities.
He emphasized that these mini-grids are not just about electricity; they represent brighter futures and improved livelihoods.
“Our goal has always been to empower communities with the power of electricity. These 103 mini-grids represent brighter futures, improved livelihoods, and growth opportunities.”
The successful deployment of 103 mini-grids, with 5.8 MW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity, demonstrates the project’s dedication to creating a brighter and more electrified future for communities throughout Nigeria.
The REA’s vision is to continue expanding and innovating to bring light to every corner of the nation.
The Rural Electrification Agency was established to increase access to electricity and bridge the energy access deficit in Nigeria.
Through initiatives like the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), it is making significant strides in achieving this goal, fostering economic growth, improving education, and enhancing the overall quality of life for Nigerians.
