The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has said the renewable energy and off-grid connection will serve as a means to connect rural communities to electricity in its coverage areas.
The managing director of AEDC, Christopher Ezeafulukwe, who spoke on the sideline of the commissioning of a 352.24Kwp solar hybrid mini-grid in Toto Local Government of Nasarawa State, said it is exploring innovative business models that would augment its grid supply with off-grid sources such as mini-grids.
Ezeafulukwe stated that the model is to help deal with the challenges posed by the macro-economic realities that make it commercially unviable for distribution companies to serve some locations within their coverage areas under the current grid arrangement.
He said the successful execution of the mini-grid project by AEDC in collaboration with PowerGen and REA indicated the renewed commitment to optimize renewable energy and off-grid opportunities to complement its grid capacity.
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“This is to ensure sustainable electricity supply to our esteemed customers. So, AEDC will leverage this success to forge stronger partnerships and collaboration that would see us execute more of this type of project.”
He said the choice of the Toto community for the pilot project was not difficult given the economic potential of the community which had been underserved.
He charged members of the community to avoid vandalisation, theft of energy and infrastructure and equipment, non-payment of bills, hostility and other acts of sabotage that are inimical to the continued provision of electricity supply.
Powergen’s country director, Seun Edun, stated that the new approach is to improve energy access in Nigeria to underserved areas at affordable tariffs.
