EEP: Nigerian Government commissions 2MW solar power plant in Usman Danfodio University
Oredola Adeola
The Nigerian Government has commissioned a 2.0MegaWatts solar hybrid power plant at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS) under the Federal Government’s Energizing Education Programme (EEP) being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The solar project was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Police Affairs, H.E Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi. on Monday.
EnergyDay gathered that Phase 1 of the EEP implemented by REA was designed to energize nine(9) Federal Universities and 1 university teaching hospital. It is funded through the Federal Government’s Green Bond.
The Government had earlier in August, commissioned the 2.8MW solar hybrid power plant at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State, which was the first to be commissioned among all the 37 universities and seven affiliated teaching hospitals under the government’s Energising Education Programme (EEP).
The President was quoted to have described the project as a testament to his administration’s commitment to increasing energy access, promoting the use of renewable energy solutions, improving the quality of education within secure and safe learning environments, empowering female students, and creating jobs.
Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, MD/CEO of the Agency, in a statement during the official launch of the solar hybrid project noted that the UDUS project falls under this phase 1, with 7 other Federal universities already energized with varying capacities of standard solar hybrid power plants.
The REA MD said, “By design, every EEP project deployed comes with a standard WTC where the EEP-STEM female interns, 20 selected per university, are sufficiently trained and provided with the necessary technical knowledge on solar system installation and management.
“These female interns also participated actively in the construction of these EEP facilities within their campuses.
“Now powering the main campus, including the popular UDUNET and the main library, this intervention at UDUS equally comes with a workshop and training center (WTC) and over 8km of solar-powered streetlights, illuminating the campus.
Engr. Ahmad however noted that the EEP projects in all the University also involves the upgrade of existing electricity distribution infrastructure within the beneficiary institution.
EnergyDay’s check showed that the EEP is a Federal Government intervention focused on developing off-grid, dedicated, and independent power plants, as well as rehabilitating existing distribution infrastructure to supply clean, reliable power and renewable energy.
The programme is expected to help to improve the quality of education, research, and health care services at federal universities and teaching hospitals across the country.
