- REA, the EU and the German government to support solar mini-grid deployment.
- The systems will be deployed under the Mini-Grid/Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme.
According to the Federal Government, 24 solar mini-grids will be deployed this year under the Mini-Grid/Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme, also known as (I)MAS. Private developers are set to deploy the projects with grant funding from the Federal Government’s Rural Electrification Agency, the European Union, and the German government. According to the REA, A4&T Power Solutions, ACOB Lighting Technology Limited, Havenhill Synergy Ltd, and five others were among the solar mini-grid developers who received the funding.
It was noted that the Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, explained at the grant agreement-signing ceremony in Abuja that the program would electrify more communities across the country. “The Federal Government appreciates the support of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme in providing Nigeria with reliable electricity,” he said. In addition, Ahmad Salihijo, REA’s Managing Director, emphasized the importance of the grant in the development of solar mini-grid projects in Nigeria. “The goal of the grant support is to facilitate the (I)MAS solar mini-grid projects so that rural access to reliable and affordable electricity is increased,” he said.
While encouraging investors to explore the solar mini-grid sector, Sanusi Ohiare, Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund, noted that finance is one major constraint to project development. He, however, noted that “as a result, the REA, with the help of NESP, was able to relieve this major burden by providing in-kind capital grants to selected mini-grid developers on favourable and encouraging terms, as stipulated in the grant agreement.”