- REA partnered with EM-One for 350MW and SMEDAN for off-grid power in Nigeria.
- The aim is to deploy mini-grids and off-grid solutions to boost local businesses.
- The total goal is to produce 500MW of renewable energy across Nigeria.
The Renewable Energy Agency (REA) has signed two significant partnerships to deliver clean electricity to underserved areas in Nigeria. The agreements include a 350 megawatts (MW) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EM-One and a collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
The Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) 2024, organised by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), hosted the signing of these partnerships. Mr. Abba Aliyu, REA’s Managing Director, signed the agreements.
The deal with EM-One focuses on deploying 350MW of renewable energy through interconnected mini-grids (IMGs) in peri-urban and rural areas. This initiative supports large-scale anchor loads like factories and commercial centres, lighting up surrounding communities. This partnership advances REA’s Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) project.
Aliyu said, “This collaboration with EM-One marks a significant step towards our goal of universal energy access. We address immediate needs by scaling renewable energy projects and fostering long-term growth and sustainability.”
REA partnered with SMEDAN to provide off-grid power solutions to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide. This aims to alleviate these businesses’ energy constraints, enhance efficiency, and support Nigeria’s energy transition.
Aliyu stated, “This MoU with SMEDAN represents a significant step towards universal energy access. By empowering MSMEs with clean energy, we support their growth and Nigeria’s economic and sustainability goals.”
The partnerships with EM-One and SMEDAN follow an earlier agreement with Husk Power for 250MW of sustainable electricity. Combined, these agreements aim to deploy 500MW of renewable energy in Nigeria.
Mir Islam, CEO of EM-One, emphasised the partnership’s innovative aspects. “We are excited to work with REA to bring smart grids and decentralised systems to address energy access in Nigeria,” he said.
Charles Odii, Director-General of SMEDAN, highlighted the importance of clean energy for small businesses. “Access to clean energy is essential for small businesses to flourish,” he said.
These strategic partnerships aim to reduce dependence on fuel, enhance productivity, and promote sustainability, fostering a more robust Nigerian economy.