NIGERIA – The Rural Electrification Agency has secured funding from the World Bank and the African Development Bank for the development of power projects in universities and teaching hospitals.
The Goton Sarki solar power plant is part of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP). The initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, led by the private sector, aims to provide access to electricity to households and micro, small and medium enterprises in off-grid communities across the country through renewable energy sources.
NEP is being implemented by REA in partnership with the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other partners.
The implementation of this project will require an investment of 140 billion Nigerian Naira (US$367 million). The World Bank will finance 20% of the initiative through a grant.
“These phases will see to the design and construction of captive hybrid power plants across a total of 15 federal universities and two teaching hospitals and they will be implemented under the Nigeria Electrification Project.”
Ahmad Salihijo – Managing Director, REA
The Central Bank of Nigeria will also make funds available for private solar energy companies involved in the manufacture, assembly, installation and maintenance of solar systems at rates ranging from 5 to 10%. At least 250,000 jobs will be created under the project.
The Managing Director of REA, Ahmad Salihijo, disclosed this at the inauguration of an 8.25 megawatts solar hybrid power project at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.
In his address at the event, which was made available to our corespondent in Abuja on Sunday by the REA, Salihijo said the power plants would be constructed under the Nigeria Electrification Project.
“Moving forward, the REA has secured funding from the World Bank and African Development Bank towards the implementation of Phase Two and Phase Three of the Energising Education Programme respectively,” he said.
“These phases will see to the design and construction of captive hybrid power plants across a total of 15 federal universities and two teaching hospitals and they will be implemented under the Nigeria Electrification Project.”
He said the 8.25MW solar hybrid plant inaugurated at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, was part of the Energising Education Programme of the REA.
The installation consists of 200 monocrystalline solar panels, a 60 kVa hybrid inverter, 60 deep cycle storage batteries and an IoT (Internet of Things) wireless smart metering system. It also has a 1.6 km radius of distribution network.
“The clean, safe and reliable energy provided will increase the income of the community’s inhabitants by improving business activities and the productivity of the population, while ensuring good education for school children,” said, Sani Bello, Governor of the State of Niger.
REA is also implementing a solar project that aims to provide five million solar kits to 25 million people in Nigeria. The first series of installations will be carried out nationwide throughout.
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