The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has unveiled plans to invest more than $12 million in a 3.5-megawatt solar power project in Ambursa, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, as part of efforts to expand electricity access to underserved communities.
Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed the development during a courtesy visit to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris in Birnin Kebbi.
According to Aliyu, the project will receive an additional investment from the agency’s development partner, KELM-Elicoms, bringing the total value of the initiative to over $12 million.
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The solar plant in Kebbi is expected to provide electricity to more than 1,500 households in Ambursa and surrounding communities.
He explained that the REA, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Power, is responsible for extending electricity to unserved communities and improving power supply in underserved areas across Nigeria.
Aliyu noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved a $750 million facility from the World Bank under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme to accelerate rural electrification nationwide.
He said the initiative aims to provide electricity access to about 17.5 million Nigerians through the deployment of 1,300 mini-grids across the country, with 250 of the projects connected to the national grid.
“It is because of this mini-grid programme that we are in Kebbi State. The state is among the beneficiaries of the mega solar power projects being implemented across the country,” he said.
The REA boss stated that the 3.5MW solar plant in Kebbi would be interconnected with the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company network, while a subsidy of about $6 million had been earmarked for the project.
“Our development partner is also committing another $6 million, bringing the total investment to over $12 million,” he added.
Aliyu further revealed that the agency would install solar-powered streetlights and a 5,000-capacity battery storage system to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply even during periods without sunlight.
He also announced plans to deploy standalone solar systems and establish 15 additional mini-grids in communities within Bagudo Local Government Area and other locations that are not connected to the national grid.
Responding, Governor Nasir Idris welcomed the REA delegation and commended the agency for selecting Kebbi State as one of the beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Energy initiative.
The governor also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the programme through federal funding, describing it as a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
Idris assured the agency of the state government’s full cooperation and pledged to provide the necessary support to ensure the successful implementation of the project.