The Federal Government has signed a €9.3 million interconnected mini-grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS) award grant agreement with eight indigenous Solar Mini-grid developers

Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, Minister of State for Power, said the agreement was for the development of 2S 3 mini-grids across 11 states of the federation.

He added that the IMAS would generate a 5.4-kilowatt peak to connect about 27,600 households, and impact over 138,000 Nigerians in two years.

“The project is coordinated by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with support from the European Union and the German government through the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP),” he said.

Jedy-Agba said that the development was geared towards achieving the country’s vision of generating at least 30,000 megawatts of electricity by 2030.

The minister commended the management of REA for their efforts and actions toward ensuring that power reaches the off-grid communities in the country.

He noted that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was open to opportunities that would achieve the acceleration of electricity in Nigeria.

“According to the developed National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy, the vision 30:30:30 aims at achieving 30,000 Megawatts of electricity by the year 2030 with renewable energy contributing 30 per cent of the energy mix.

“To achieve this, Nigeria will have to construct over a thousand mini-grids of 100 Kilowatts,” he said.

He listed the local solar mini-grid developers, to include Acob Lighting Technology Limited, Gve Projects, Nayo Tropical Technology Limited, Rubitec Nigeria Limited, Darway Coast Nigeria Limited, Havenhill Synergy Limited

Others are Sosa-Protergia Joint Development Company Limited, and A4&T Power Solutions Limited.

He said that the developers are expected to develop the mini-grids across 11 states which include, Zamfara, Niger, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Osun, Ogun, Lagos, Delta, Anambra, and Cross River.

Earlier, the Managing Director of REA, Mr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad said that the scheme was aimed at bridging the funding gap that was affecting indigenous developers in the renewable energy sector.

TheStar