The Federal Government has launched the construction of four solar hybrid mini-grid power plants in Rivers State that will supply electricity to more than 13,000 homes, commercial organizations, and government establishments.
This project, whose capacity is 11.9 megawatts, is being executed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) as part of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) program in collaboration with the World Bank.
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These mini-grids will be deployed to Bolo/Wakama, Gokana/Khana, Ogu/ChukuAma and Onne communities.
Addressing the groundbreaking event, the Rivers State governor, Simonlalonge Fubara, represented by the Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, characterized the program as a result of good cooperation between the Federal Government and Rivers State.
She expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for including the energy project in the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration in the state.
The Managing Director of REA, Dr. Abba Aliyu, highlighted that the program is an indication of government’s efforts in providing electricity to people via cheap and clean energy sources.
In his view, the mini-grids would help business growth and delivery of healthcare and education services.
As stated by Aliyu, the agency has successfully implemented 16 renewable energy projects in Rivers State with over 11.5 MWs of renewable energy installed and electricity supplied to over 14,300 households and commercial premises.
Aliyu further revealed that the 10.5 MWs of the solar hybrid power project at the University of Port Harcourt is ready for commissioning.
The Amanyanabo of Bolo Kingdom, King Acheseinimie Micah Frank commended the project and explained that it will boost the livelihood of people and create new economic activities, especially among the fishing community.
According to the Federal Government, this is part of the initiatives to encourage renewable energy production, access to electricity, and economic development in Nigeria.
