After 10 years without electricity supply, the federal government has begun the construction of a 900kWp solar mini-grid in Rubochi town in Kuje Area Council, FCT.
The standalone mini-grids are under the Korean Energy Project through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who was represented by the Assistant Director, Renewable and Rural Energy Access, Engr Samuel Ayangeor, said the project would transform the socio – economic status of the people.
Adelabu said energy poverty is a problem that permeates different nations across the continent, adding that in Nigeria, there has been a unique history that has taken the country through varying phases to change the woes of the energy sector.
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“It is great progress to have an additional 1.6MWp and 3.0MWhr capacity energising 7,300 residential and commercial homes in these communities while transforming the socio-economic status of the people,” the minister said.
He added that the off-grid electrification comes with culture change through deliberate sensitisation of beneficiaries and stakeholders.
The Managing Director of REA, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, noted that the rural communities suffer profound health and economic impacts as a result of the wide use of non-renewable or polluting energy sources.
He said growing the market for lower impact energy technologies is a step towards equitable, cleaner development.
The REA boss recalled that on the 16th of June 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korean Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) to develop four mini-grids within the FCT.
He said they include the Robuchi Interconnected Minigrid which will have a total capacity of 900kWp divided into three fractions.
