5,000 Nasarawa Households To Benefit From N382.5Bn Electrification Scheme
No fewer than 5,000 households and 500 businesses will benefit from the N382.5billion ($765million) World Bank’s six new microgrid rural electrification programmes in Nasarawa State.
The solar hybrid microgrid project, located in Nasarawa State was developed by Husk Power Systems, and it is expected to provide clean, reliable and affordable electricity to the six communities in the Doma and Lafia local government areas who will gain access to electricity for the first time.
Communities benefiting are Rukubi, Idadu and Igbagbo in Doma and Kiguna, Akura and Gidan Buba in Lafia.
Also, the projects are rolling out under the auspices of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), an initiative funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank and implemented by the nation’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA). According to the World Bank, the NEP will leverage private sector investments in solar microgrids and stand-alone solar systems to provide electricity to 2.5 million people and 70,000 micro, small and medium enterprises.
The projects are being financed through an International Development Association credit of $350 million, while its total cost is $765 million.
It would be recalled that In September this year, Husk received financial support from the REA to develop a total of seven hybrid solar mini grids in Nasarawa, as part of the NEP’s performance-based grant programme.
With six already up and running, a seventh site will come online in 2022 along with details of a larger pipeline of projects.
The company forecasts a fleet of more than 100 mini grids in Nigeria within the next 24 months, to grow to 500 mini grids by 2026.
According to Husk co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Manoj Sinha, “Nigeria’s leadership in rural electrification and making mini grids a centerpiece of national energy strategy is a global best practice.
“The completion of six mini grids by Husk Power Systems in Nasarawa State is an important step in scaling rural electrification and achieving energy access for all Nigerians.
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