The Federal Government of Nigeria in partnership with private sector investors, has on Wednesday, March 29th, made moves to deploy 1,000 mini-grids to electrify rural communities across the country.
The electrification of rural areas is controlled by the Federal Government’s Rural Electrification Agency. The agency oversees private sector mini-grid developers by supporting them with funds to boost off-grid electricity development.
Speaking at the Rural Electrification Fund Call-3 Bidders Workshop in Abuja on Wednesday, the Managing Director, REA, Ahmad Salihijo, who was duly represented by the agency’s Executive Director, Corporate Services, Olaniyi Alaba, disclosed that over 1,000 mini-grids would be built across the country.
He said in part,
“Through the testimonies from the inauguration of various REF projects, including REF Calls 1 and 2 mini-grid projects, we have proven that renewable energy technology is good economics and also proven that business models work.
“We therefore have no doubt about the capacity of leveraging our off-grid renewable energy potentials to transform more rural communities across the country through the REF Call-3.
“We expect that over 1,000 mini-grids will be built in the next few years, in tandem with other REA programmes and initiatives, as well as the recently announced intervention of the President to deploy five million solar-based connections across the country through the Economic Sustainability Plan.”
“This include access to data, policy support, grants, capacity development, etc.
“The agency’s role of providing energy access to millions of Nigerians through renewable energy is critical if we are to deliver the economic benefits that will spur rural economic growth and development in Nigeria”.