- Delta State signed an MoU with REA to deploy off-grid renewable solutions, targeting 120,000 new connections, and $158m in investment.
- Governor Oborevwori and REA MD Abba Aliyu pledged investor-friendly policies and identified 471 mini-grid sites to create 31,000 jobs and expand rural access.
Delta State has taken a decisive step to bridge its power deficit, where more than 60% of communities remain off-grid, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to roll out renewable and off-grid energy solutions.
The agreement, sealed at a roundtable in Abuja on Wednesday, August 20, will deliver electricity to over 386,000 residents through 120,217 new connections, attract $158 million in private investment, and boost the state’s GDP by $2.9 billion.
Speaking at the event themed “Unlocking Distributed Energy Investments for Industrial Growth and Inclusive Access in Delta State”, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori described the partnership as a pillar of his administration’s MORE Agenda and medium-term development plan (2024–2027).
“Electricity access is a cornerstone for productivity, investment, and improved livelihoods,” Oborevwori said. “For communities long left behind by the national grid, off-grid renewable solutions such as solar and wind power present huge opportunities for sustainable development.”
He added that reliable electricity would power healthcare, education, small industries, and job creation. He also assured investors of a business-friendly environment, pledging to dismantle “unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles” to accelerate project delivery. The governor further disclosed that construction was ongoing on an 8.5MW independent power plant in Asaba to serve key government institutions.
Delta’s energy strategy prioritises solar-powered mini-grids, solar farms, hybrid solar-wind systems, and energy-as-a-service models that allow businesses to secure reliable power without bureaucratic delays. “Delta offers technically sound, revenue-generating opportunities where investors profit while rural communities gain access to electricity,” Oborevwori said.
REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu confirmed that the agency had identified 471 potential mini-grid sites across Delta State, with Ndokwa East Local Government Area alone hosting more than 83 locations.
“On average, a village in Delta can have 255 connections, making it highly attractive for mini-grid investments,” Aliyu noted. “These projects could create over 31,000 jobs and electrify over 120,000 buildings. Delta is one of Nigeria’s most promising hubs for distributed renewable energy.”
Aliyu commended the state’s electrification strategy and reaffirmed REA’s readiness to support projects with its $1.16 billion nationwide electrification fund. He also pointed to opportunities in a potential $53 billion, 600MW solar panel assembly plant and urged Delta to position itself as a prime destination for investment.
The MoU signing marks a significant milestone in Delta’s renewable energy journey, with both parties expressing confidence that the collaboration will accelerate rural development, enhance social services, and substantially close the state’s energy access gap.