To improve electricity while tackling heightened insecurity, the federal government is considering building a 2.5 megawatts (MW) hybrid solar power plant at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna.
The Minister of Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this yesterday at the 40th National Solar Energy Forum (NACEF 2022) at the academy.
Nasarawa distributes ATM cards to NG-CARES beneficiaries
Niger communities around electricity-generating dams facing havoc – Gov Bello
The minister, who was represented by the Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, said reliable and sustainable energy was key in the fight against insecurity in the country.
Aliyu said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was driving decarbonisation and was discussing with developers on solar power projects.
He further said, “Ten state governments are enabling solar projects in their states that will deliver 100MW each, contributing 1000MW to the off-grid structure.”
The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, was hopeful that the outcome and suggestions would further enhance the government’s effort to rid the country of insurgency.
The Commandant of NDA, Major General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf, said, “There’s still much to do to achieve improved access to green energy sources. As an institution, we’ve devoted a lot of resources to improve knowledge on the issue and track global development on renewable energy sources because energy is a critical component of national security.”
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr Salihijo Ahmad, said there had been significant improvement in the nation’s renewable energy space because of different initiatives of the government.
The programme was organised by the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN) in collaboration with REA and the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).
