REA begins 42 mini‐grids, solar power projects in Kebbi, Adamawa

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), in collaboration with the Federal and State Governments, has performed the groundbreaking of 42 renewable energy projects in Kebbi and Adamawa States as part of ongoing efforts to expand electricity access, stimulate economic growth, and improve the livelihoods of underserved communities.

The projects comprise 39 mini-grid projects in Adamawa State and a 3.5-megawatt solar power project in Kebbi State, all being implemented under the Federal Government’s rural electrification programme.

In Adamawa State, the Federal Government officially flagged off the construction of 39 mini-grid projects comprising three interconnected mini-grids and 36 isolated mini-grids under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) Programme.

The interconnected mini-grid projects are located in Kofare, Saminaka, and Mbamba, with installed capacities of 10 megawatts, 2.6 megawatts, and 890 kilowatts, respectively.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Joseph Tegbe, Minister of Power, described the projects as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the 39 projects will inject nearly 27 megawatts of clean, reliable, and sustainable electricity into communities across Adamawa State, making it one of the largest decentralised renewable energy programmes implemented in a single state.

He said the projects would provide electricity to about 40,000 households and businesses across Kofare, Saminaka, Mbamba, Gulak, Michika, Shuwa, Bazza, Belel, Ganye, Song, Hong, Mubi, Guyuk, and other communities.

The minister noted that beyond providing electricity, the initiative would power approximately 6,000 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, including welders, tailors, grain millers, cold-room operators, ICT businesses, and agro-processors, thereby boosting productivity, creating jobs, and reducing dependence on expensive petrol and diesel generators.

He added that more than 100 public institutions, including schools, healthcare centres, and water facilities, would also benefit from the programme.

“Behind every connection is more than a meter. It is a family whose quality of life will improve, a child whose education will be enhanced, an entrepreneur whose business will expand, and a community whose future will become brighter,” Tegbe said.

He explained that the mini-grids are designed to complement the national grid, particularly in communities with inadequate or no electricity supply, while attracting private sector investment into Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.

The minister commended Adamawa State Governor for his administration’s commitment to the project, particularly the provision of land and support for implementation.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the REA, development partners, investors, and community leaders, urging residents to safeguard the facilities against vandalism to ensure their sustainability.

Also speaking at the Adamawa event, Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, emphasised that the project reflected the agency’s commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind in Nigeria’s energy transition.

“We are gathered here not merely to break ground for infrastructure; we are here to switch on a new future for the people of Adamawa State.”

“Years from now, the success of today’s ceremony will not be measured simply by the 27 megawatts we deploy. It will be measured by the businesses created, the jobs generated, the farms mechanised, the schools transformed, the healthcare services improved, and the countless lives changed because reliable electricity became available”, Aliyu said.