The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has energised a 234 kilowatts (KW) solar hybrid mini-grid power plant at Shimankar Community in Shendam LGA, Plateau State.
The agency said the projects are being financed under the Nigerian Electrification Project (NEP) with funding from the World Bank ($350 million) and the African Development Bank ($200m).
- Sule Lamido and the disabled in Jigawa State
- Interrogating Lt Gen. Buratai’s “spiritual warfare’’ and Boko Haram’s resilience
Speaking during the project commissioning, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State said the people have been used to using generators, candles, kerosene lamps and other unsafe energy sources.
He stressed that with clean energy sources, such as this solar mini-grid, the health and environmental wellbeing of our people will be safeguarded.
The Managing Director/ CEO of REA, Ahmad Salihijo, said the facility will provide clean, safe, affordable and reliable electricity for the community members.
He said the use of clean energy technologies in the quest to provide electricity is an added advantage to rural communities, adding that the federal government’s commitment to meeting its developmental goals is also by providing electricity access for all.
The Managing Director, Green Energy Village (GVE), Ifeanyi Orajaka, said the firm got a grant from REA for the project with installed capacity of 234kwp.
He also said 1,972 households, 273 commercial users, five productive users and 19 public users in the community are being provided with uninterrupted electricity from the mini-grid.