In a significant move to expand electricity access across Nigeria, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed two major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to generate 500 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy for rural communities.
The agreements were signed with two prominent renewable energy companies – EM-One and Husk Power – and represent a substantial step forward in the REA’s vision of providing electricity to 23% of the 85 million Nigerians currently without access to the national grid.
The first MoU, signed with EM-One, commits to the delivery of an additional 250MW of interconnected mini-grids across Nigeria. These mini-grids will target peri-urban and rural communities, with a particular focus on sites with large-scale anchor loads such as factories or commercial centers. These anchor loads will not only power their own operations but also serve as hubs to illuminate the surrounding underserved communities.
In a complementary move, the REA also signed a 250MW agreement with Husk Power. This partnership aims to establish a long-term strategic relationship that sets a global benchmark for scaling the deployment of decentralized solar power projects in Nigeria. These projects will electrify peri-urban and rural communities, including markets, businesses, households, public institutions, health clinics, and schools, in both weak-grid and off-grid areas.
Abba Aliyu, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the REA, emphasized that the mini-grids are a core component of the agency’s Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up project. This initiative is designed to enhance energy access, stimulate local economies, and promote balanced development across Nigeria.
The integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as smart grids and decentralized systems, will further enhance the efficiency and reliability of these mini-grid projects. This, in turn, will increase grid visibility, optimize power flows, and enable large-scale grid interconnection of renewable energy, ultimately modernizing Nigeria’s energy infrastructure and ensuring efficient energy distribution.
The partnerships with EM-One and Husk Power represent a significant milestone in the REA’s efforts to provide sustainable energy access to underserved and unserved communities across the country. With the combined commitment of 500MW of renewable energy, the agency is poised to make significant strides in its mission to electrify rural Nigeria.
