Nigeria deploying solar grids to 304 hospitals and schools

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has announced plans to deploy solar-powered grids to 200 Primary Health Centres (PHC) and 104 Unity Schools nationwide. The initiative will be implemented by the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency (REA), under a program dubbed “Energy for All – Mass Rural Electrification” Programme.

As part of its National Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) (FGN’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan), Nigeria is targeting 5 million new solar-based connections in communities that are not grid connected. The Federal Government of Nigeria is allocating some funds towards the financing of the initiative.

According to Sale Mamman, Nigeria’s Minister of Energy, the project will be completed in 12 months by the handling agency, the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency (REA). This is set to contribute to Nigeria’s target of sourcing 30% of electricity from renewables by 2030.

“In line with global best practice, all components and interventions being driven under the ESP of the Federal Government of Nigeria have been deliberately designed to optimise the best in renewable energy technologies, mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic while closing the energy gap across the nation,” Mamman said

Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) will incorporate the public facilities mini-grids project into the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP). NEP is a Federal Government initiative that is private sector driven and seeks to provide electricity access to households, micro, small and medium enterprises in off grid communities across the country through renewable power sources. NEP is being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in collaboration with the World Bank, AfDB and other partners.

REA’s Managing Director/CEO, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, says they are in the process of deploying solar power to another 100 major health facilities. 

Over 70% of Nigeria’s power capacity comes from gas-fired power plants and over 30 per cent on hydrothermal power plants. The country’s electricity plan seeks to attract more investment in greener sources of energy and diversify its energy mix.