- The Rural Electrification Agency will provide electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians through its Distributed Energy System project, backed by $750 million in funding.
- REA’s 2023 capital projects impacted 1.4 million unserved and underserved Nigerians, with plans to increase this number significantly in 2024.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) announced that its Distributed Energy System (DES) project will bring electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians. Abba Aliyu, REA’s Managing Director, disclosed this during the 2023 Capital Project Implementation Report presentation in Abuja.
Aliyu highlighted progress through the agency’s funding sources, including the national budget and international financial agreements. “We are nearing completion of a $550 million Nigerian electrification project. We’ve also secured an additional $750 million to start the DES project.
“This initiative stands as the largest public sector-funded off-grid project in the world. It will provide power to 17.5 million Nigerians out of the 85 million currently without access,” Aliyu stated.
REA outlined a detailed plan to achieve these electrification goals. “We plan to electrify 30 million Nigerians using isolated mini-grids, 1.5 million through interconnected mini-grids, and 12.5 million with mesh grids and solar home systems,” Aliyu explained.
REA emphasised security and sustainability in its project designs. “We design our projects with the end goal in mind. We engage communities to foster ownership and sustainability. In all communities where we deploy assets, we create cooperative societies to protect infrastructure and generate jobs,” Aliyu added.
REA reported that its 2023 capital projects positively impacted about 1.4 million “unserved and underserved” Nigerians. Abdullahi Umar, REA’s Executive Director of Technical Services, confirmed these achievements.
“Our estimates rely on scientific grounding. We analyse the agricultural, socioeconomic, and other impacts of every project. For 2024, our budget increased nearly four times compared to 2023, so we expect even greater impacts,” Umar stated.
On funding and sustainability, the Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund, Doris Udoh, assured that tariff payments, regulated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, remain affordable for rural communities.
The REA’s efforts mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s electrification journey. Once completed, the DES project will significantly improve access to electricity and enhance the quality of life for millions across the country.
The agency’s commitment to sustainable development, through careful planning and community involvement, promises long-term benefits. The increased budget allocation for 2024 underscores the government’s support for the REA’s initiatives and dedication to expanding energy access to underserved areas.
As REA advances its ambitious plans, the agency remains focused on ensuring its projects provide electricity and contribute to Nigeria’s broader socioeconomic development. The success of the 2023 capital projects lays a strong foundation for future achievements, and the DES project stands poised to make a significant impact in addressing Nigeria’s energy needs.