AfDB, World Bank partner REA to improve electricity supply to Nigerian consumers

*The Rural Electrification Agency’s electrification project has attained the signing of grant agreements under the mini-grid sub-component with 13 companies for the deployment of solar mini-grids across 86 sites in off-grid communities in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As a measure to enhance power supply towards improving the livelihood of consumers, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) through the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), is providing off-grid solutions to bridge the electricity gap in unserved and underserved rural communities in the country.

ConsumerConnect learnt the beneficiaries of the power project include households, micro, small and medium enterprises, Federal Universities, as well as healthcare centers across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The project is financially supported by the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) respectively.

The World Bank and African Development Bank have provided a total sum of $550million as support for the implementation of the off-grid solution projects with $213m for the mini-grid components of both banks in Nigeria, according to agency report.

NEP is described as a private sector-driven project that provides grant subsidies under its; solar hybrid mini-grids, standalone solar home systems and productive use appliance components to bridge the access to electrification gap, and stimulate load demand.

The objective of the project, report said, is to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity access to a minimum of 2.5 million Nigerians which equates to about 500,000 households.

In terms of the achievements of the electrification programme in the country thus far, report noted that NEP has done the signing of grant agreements under the mini-grid sub-component with 13 companies for the deployment of solar mini-grids across 86 sites in off-grid communities.

It also deployed and commissioned 7 solar hybrid mini-grids, with a total connection of 3,828 and 529.79kW energy capacity and signing of grant agreements with 26 companies under the Output Based Fund sub-component of standalone solar home system.

The programme also has improved the means of livelihood of the consumers, towards making the mini-grid powered communities more attractive and viable.

It as well installed 221,971 Solar Home Systems in households, micro, small, and medium enterprises as well as public facilities.

Contract agreements with 8 companies for the deployment of containerised solar hybrid solutions to power 100 Isolation and treatment Centers (ITCs) under the REA/NEP COVID-19 & Beyond intervention programme have been done, report noted.

It conducted community engagement exercises in 9 States (Ogun, Cross River, Sokoto, Niger, Plateau, Abia, Bauchi, Kano and Anambra) to sensitise and have community buy-in for the sustainability of the NEP mini grid projects.

It also commenced preparations for the deployment of solar hybrid power plants in Federal Universities and Teaching Hospitals under the Energising Education Programme Phases II and III.

REA/NEP calls for more support from the private sector to help bridge the electrification gap.

The Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency is tasked with the electrification of unserved and underserved communities.

It has the mandate to promote and co-ordinate rural electrification programmes in the country.

The Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) has been described as “an innovative programme to catalyse off grid development in Nigeria, through the provision of grant funding, detailed market data and technical assistance, in collaboration with the World Bank ($350m) and African Development Bank ($200million).”

Its components are solar hybrid mini grids, solar home systems, energy efficient productive use appliances and equipment, the energising education programme and technical assistance.