- The Federal Government of Nigeria through its implementing agency – Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has commissioned 80 kilowatt (KW) solar hybrid mini-grid power plant project in Upake community, Kogi State.
- The project is part of government commitment to provide electricity access to unserved and underserved communities across Nigeria.
- The project will see 496 residential and commercial buildings connected.
Upake community is one of the 12 communities to benefit from the first set of grants under the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), which is a REA initiative. The first call of the Rural REF will energise 12 communities and deploy 19,000 Solar Home Systems (SHS).
Other communities set to commission solar hybrid mini-grid in the coming weeks include Kare, Dadin-Kowa and Tsulaye communities in Kebbi State, and Akpabom community in Akwa Ibom State.
“The move to light up every nook and cranny of Nigeria reiterates the commitment of the Buhari-led administration in fulfilling its mandate to ensure electricity access for Nigerians. Families and businesses in Upake will have access to clean, sustainable and reliable electricity from the sun. This enhances productivity and provides jobs in the area,” said Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of REA.
REA is tasked with providing equitable access to electricity across Nigeria to maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits of rural electrification grants, to promote off-grid electrification, and to stimulate innovative approaches to rural electrification. REF projects are administered using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
