The Federal Government has broken ground on three interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined generation capacity of 13.5 megawatts in Kofare, Saminaka and Mbamba communities of Adamawa State as part of efforts to expand electricity access to underserved communities across Nigeria.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, described the projects as another milestone in Nigeria’s drive towards universal electricity access, energy security and a cleaner energy future under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tegbe said mini-grids are an integral component of Nigeria’s electricity architecture rather than a replacement for the national grid, noting that the country is building a diversified energy system that combines grid infrastructure, mini-grids, renewable energy and storage solutions.
He explained that the projects are being implemented under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) Programme, which he described as the world’s largest publicly funded renewable energy access initiative aimed at mobilising public and private investments to connect millions of Nigerians to reliable electricity.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the projects form part of a broader plan to deploy 39 mini-grids across Adamawa State, comprising three interconnected and 36 isolated systems with a combined capacity of nearly 27 megawatts.
According to him, the projects are expected to provide electricity to about 40,000 households, 6,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and more than 100 public institutions.
Aliyu commended the minister for his support for renewable energy development and for recognising mini-grids as a critical component of Nigeria’s electricity network.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, praised the Federal Government for the initiative and said the projects resulted from the Rural Electrification Agency’s State-by-State Roundtable, which brought together developers and state governments to promote investment in the power sector.
During the ceremony, Tegbe also commended the Adamawa State Government for providing 30 hectares of land for the projects and acknowledged the contributions of the Rural Electrification Agency, development partners, distribution companies, financiers and host communities.
He urged residents of the beneficiary communities to safeguard the mini-grid infrastructure from vandalism, describing the facilities as assets that belong to the people and are essential to improving livelihoods, education and economic activities.
