REA deploys over 52MW solar mini-grids PBG in 67 communities, 1million SHS connections with 24.1MW total capacity, nationwide in 3yrs
Oredola Adeola
Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has revealed that a total of 67 solar hybrid mini-grids have been deployed through the World Bank- Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) – Performance-Based Grant Programme (PBG), with installed capacity of over 52MW of photovoltaic (PV), while Standalone Solar Home Systems (SHS) component ranging from 6Watts peak (Wp) to 1,800Wp -translating to over 24,176.152kW (24.1MW) of installed capacity – have been deployed across the 36 states in Nigeria.
This was revealed in the REA’s impact report for the last 3 years – January of 2020 to January of 2023- obtained by EnergyDay on Wednesday.
Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is an agency of the Nigerian Government established with the objective of delivering clean, sustainable energy infrastructure nationwide, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Power. The Agency was positioned as an implementing tool for improved energy access amongst the unserved and the underserved.
EnergyDay gathered that over 90 percent of the NEP-PBG impact deployed in some selected states and FCT was delivered between 2020 and 2022.
The REA however noted that the NEP-PBG interventions has continued to serve previously unserved and underserved communities nationwide, while also aiding social and economic development through productive use. It added that over 200,000 additional connections currently in the pipeline.
Some of the states and locations of the Mini-Grids Deployed through the World Bank-REA-NEP-PBG includes:
* NIGER STATE: Gbara – 84Kwp; Maagi Bukun – 76Kwp; Maagi Igenchi – 76Kwp; Nantu – 42Kwp.
Ndejiko – 26Kwp; Kpanbo – 76Kwp; Dancitagi – 200Kwp; Dukugi – 156Kwp; Gbade – 106Kwp; Ebangi – 56Kwp Sosa – 56Kwp; Sa’achi Nku – 56Kwp; Egbeke/Nwuba – 55Kwp; Kalaibiama – 25kwp; Lomileju – 12Kwp UgbonNla – 30.15Kwp; Laoso – 54Kwp; Gida Buba – 50Kwp; Igbabo – 100Kwp; Idadu – 90Kwp.
Kiguna – 82Kwp; Akura – 100Kwp; Rukubi – 180Kwp; Obadore – 40Kwp; Mebiowa Okposi – 98Kwp.
Bokani – 100Kwp; Adogo Mallam – 180Kwp; Soba – 100Kwp; Sabon- Gari – 100Kwp; Sabon-Rigiya – 150Kwp; Gbangba – 90Kwp; Lafian-Kpada – 50Kwp; Mai Jaki – 45Kwp and Aninigi – 24Kwp.
* OYO STATE: Abuja Leather – 70Kwp Arget – 35Kwp; Ayegun Wasimi – 16Kwp; Kofeogun – 16Kwp.
Oko Ile – 50Kwp; Igbori – 25Kwp; Ahoro Dada – 50Kwp; Alaropo Nla – 16Kwp; Sanni Sala – 35Kwp.
Orita Orisumibare – 35Kwp; Adafila – 90kwp; Okerete – 16Kwp; Elekonkan – 100Kwp; and Olokoto – 35Kwp
* FCT: Old Chikuku – 40kwp; Petti – 60Kwp; Kilankwa – 60Kwp; and Kilankwa II – 60Kwp
* CROSS RIVER STATE: Ekong Anaku – 12.48Kwp; Balep – 9.39Kwp; Opu – 14.04Kwp; Bendeghe-Afi – 19Kwp; and Abaribara – 27Kwp
* AKWA IBOM STATE: Emereoke – 28.08Kwp; and Mbiabet Esieyere – 20Kwp
* RIVERS STATE: Obokwu Ozuzu – 19Kwp
* BAYELSA STATE: Oloibiri – 67.32Kwp; and Akipelai – 67.32Kwp
* PLATEAU STATE: Shimankar – 234Kwp
* KADUNA STATE: Magtari – 117Kwp
* OGUN STATE: Ikenne Market – 58Kwp
* NASARAWA STATE: Bakono – 99.8Kwp
* ONDO STATE: Ajana Ejidoku – 60Kwp
* BAYELSA STATE: Oloibiri – 67.32Kwp; and Akipelai – 67.32Kwp
* RIVERS STATE: Obokwu Ozuzu – 19Kwp
REA disclosed that the Performance-Based Grant Programme (PBG) was designed to close the viability gap mini-grids developed on a spontaneous basis. It stated that through the grant mechanism, communities are identified, verified and sensitized by mini grid developers and they may also use this window to support development of pre-planned projects in their portfolios.
According to the report, in the last 3 years, the REA has successfully drawn-in viable private sector developers, enabling them to access the grant while accelerating the deployment rate to close the energy gap in communities across Nigeria.
NEP-STANDALONE SHS
Highlighting the impact of the NEP – Standalone Solar Home Systems (SHS) Component, REA revealed that in the year 2022, it officially hit and crossed the 1 million connections milestone through the deployment of Standalone Solar Home Systems (SHS) for improved energy access across Nigeria.
The report said, “Through the SHS, the REA has powered households, MSMEs and public facilities. The capacity of the systems ranges from 6Wp to 1,800Wp translating to over 24,176.152kW (24.1MW) of installed capacity across the 36 states in Nigeria.
The Agency claimed that it delivered over 95% of the NEP-SHS impact between the year 2020 and 2022, adding that the NEP-SHS component is one of the fastest growing components being implemented by the Agency.
EnergyDay gathered that the objective of the “Standalone SHS for Households and Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)” component of the NEP was dedicated to helping millions of unserved and underserved Nigerian households and MSMEs access better energy services at an affordable cost, via stand-alone solar systems through private sector companies.
In the last few three years, the number of SHS systems that have been deployed on regional basis includes:
* NORTHWEST: 204,536
* NORTHEAST: 18,879
* NORTH CENTRAL: 175,787
*SOUTH SOUTH : 131,619
* SOUTH EAST: 21,988
* SOUTHWEST: 674,656
EnergyDay’s check showed that the target beneficiaries of the SHS were people in off-grid locations or underserved customers that have inefficient and unreliable energy access.
