Renewable energy: $4m injected into expansion of solar mini-grids in Nigeria

The move to adopt renewable energy in Nigeria has received a fresh boost with the injection of a total of $4 million for the development and deployment of solar-powered mini-grids across 19 communities in Jigawa and Bauchi states.

The Federal Government has adopted a shift towards clean, renewable energy through increased investments in solar energy as an alternative source of electricity.

According to the Federal Government’s Energy Transition and Investment Plans, ETIP, Nigeria’s shift to domestic renewables is projected to generate $686.8 billion in fuel cost savings by 2060.

However, the projection depends on infrastructure delivery as Nigeria’s ETIP targets 277 GW of total installed capacity and over 104,000 mini-grids by 2030.

The $4 million investment was made by two operators in the sector, All On and Energise Africa, EA, as part of efforts to actualise the ETIP target, towards ensuring expansion of access to renewable energy in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen in Uyo on Monday.

The project is expected to bring reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity to households, businesses and public institutions currently without dependable electricity access, Caroline Eboumbou, Chief Executive Officer of All On, said.

She explained that the $4 million investment, made under the Demand Aggregation for Renewable energy Technology, DART, Programme, will impact 100,000 people while supporting local enterprise development and reducing dependence on traditional energy alternatives.

“For communities across Jigawa and Bauchi where energy access remains limited, decentralised energy infrastructure can play an important role in enabling economic and social activity.

“Through the deployment of solar-powered mini-grids, the project will extend reliable electricity to homes, schools, health facilities and small businesses, while creating opportunities for productive use of energy and strengthening local economies,” Eboumbou said.

She noted that energy access is not simply about connecting communities to electricity but more about creating the conditions for people and businesses to thrive.

By helping to bring clean, reliable power to 19 communities across Jigawa and Bauchi states, UK investors are supporting lasting social, economic and environmental impact that will benefit thousands of people in Nigeria, according to Ray Coyle, CEO of Energise Africa.

It will be recalled that as part of the move to adopt clean energy alternatives, the Federal Government has established a Renewable Asset Management Company, RAMCO.