REA Expands Mini Grid Infrastructure Deployment to Communities

The Rural Electrification Agency(REA) has expanded its partnership initiative to deploy more power infrastructure across community settings across the country.

The agency is deploying more mini grid facilities in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on revamping Nigeria’s power infrastructure to provide equitable access to electricity across the nation.

The minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, while applauding transformative roadmap of the REA, said with its determined effort rural communities in Nigeria will soon begin to experience economic and social transformation.

The minister also stated that the agency’s commitment aligns with the 2023

Electricity Bill, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, which he described as a visionary policy enabling state and local governments, alongside private entities, to actively participate in the power sector.

Chief Adelabu, who spoke while inaugurating Nigeria’s first 352.24KWP

Interconnected Hybrid Solar Mini-Grid Plant in Toto Community, Nasarawa State, stated that, “the legislative milestone has paved the way for projects like the Toto MiniGrid project to electrify rural communities, demonstrating the administration’s

commitment to socio-economic empowerment through energy access.

This pioneering project not only reflects the current administration’s dedication to renewable energy but also sets a benchmark for the integration of mini-grids with the national power infrastructure.”

He applauded the Rural Electrification Agency for achieving yet another incredible

milestone with the project which was done in collaboration with Powergen Nigeria Limited and Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC).

This 352kWp solar hybrid mini grid project is a testament of renewed efforts of collaboration between the Federal Government and the Private Sector towards closing the electricity gap in Nigeria.

The 352.24KWP Interconnected Hybrid Solar Mini-Grid Plant in Toto is the first of its kind in Nigeria, designed to provide reliable, renewable electricity to a significant number of households and businesses.

The project aligns with the Federal Government’s goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2030 and is indicative of the progressive strides being made in the Nigerian power sector.

The Interconnected Solar Hybrid Mini-Grids developed by PowerGen is the outcome of the World Bank Funded Performance Based Grant (PBG) Component of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP).

The interconnected mini grid currently provides reliable electricity to more than 2000 Households, 141 Commercial Users, 18 Productive Users and 45 Public Users in the community to improve the socio-economic life of the community.

Conceived under the REA-NEP funded initiative, the project was brought to fruition through collaborative efforts with PowerGen Interconnected Nigeria Limited.

The Minister urged other developers to follow PowerGen’s lead in bringing electricity to the rural populace and appealed to the Toto community and the Nasarawa State Government to protect this crucial utility and ensure its sustainable operation for the benefit of all.

Managing director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Engineer Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad stated that, “The successful completion of the Toto Mini-Grid project is a testament to the power of partnership and innovation in driving rural electrification in Nigeria.

The REA remains committed to fostering an environment which encourages similar sustainable and impactful projects nationwide”.