The Nigerian government is implementing a $750 million programme for solar mini-grids and off-grid power infrastructure across the country to bring power to underserved communities.
Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, disclosed this during a visit by a delegation from the National Judicial Institute to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
According to him, the programme is expected to catalyse about $1.1 billion in private sector investment and support the deployment of 1,350 solar mini-grids nationwide.
Aliyu said the programme is the largest publicly funded renewable electricity programme currently being implemented globally.
“For the first time, we are witnessing the implementation of the biggest publicly funded renewable electricity project in the entire world.
“It is a $750 million project that will catalyse $1.1 billion in private sector funding to deploy 1,350 mini-grids across the country,” he said.
He added that 250 of the planned systems will be interconnected with mini-grids that will supply electricity directly into the national grid, while the rest will serve off-grid communities.
Solar mini grids for underserved communities
Aliyu said the programme is designed to provide electricity to communities beyond the reach of Nigeria’s central power grid.
According to him, the government is adopting a structured approach to address electricity access challenges through renewable energy infrastructure.
“I believe the credit for the work that we are doing should first go to Mr President because this is the first time in the history of the country where a structured programme is being implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria to address the electricity access challenge,” he said.
Mini grids are small power networks that serve clusters of homes, businesses, schools, and health facilities in areas where extending the main grid is difficult or costly.
The REA said the systems will be powered largely by solar energy with battery storage.
The agency is also implementing solar power projects for federal institutions under its Energising Education Programme, with 15 projects already completed across universities and teaching hospitals nationwide.
Additional projects are in development for the University of Lagos, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Benin, and the teaching hospital of the University of Ibadan, while eight new projects are awaiting implementation.
The government has also approved N100 billion for the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative to provide solar systems for public institutions struggling with unstable grid supply or high electricity costs.
According to the Director, installations have begun at several federal agencies, including the Department of State Services, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Solar systems are also being deployed at the National Hospital in Abuja and about a dozen tertiary institutions across the country.
“The essence of that programme is to provide intervention for public institutions that are underserved or facing difficulty paying for the electricity they consume,” Aliyu said.
He added that the agency conducts energy audits before installing solar mini grids to determine the appropriate system’s capacity and distribution infrastructure.
