W’Bank and FG boost NDA’s solar capacity with 2.5MW

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A 2.5MW solar hybrid power project has been launched at the Afaka Campus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, with funding support from the World Bank.
Under the Energizing Education Programme phase two, the Rural Electrification Agency’s project – Dongfang Electric Corporation – Mutual Commitment Company, a Chinese firm, would be completed in 12 months.
As a supervisory agency, President Buhari charged the REA to ensure that a high-quality, sustainable power supply for the prestigious military academy was built at the groundbreaking ceremony shortly after the passing out parade of the 69th Regular Course Cadets of the NDA.
The Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retired), represented Buhari at the event.
The President said, “I welcome you all to the groundbreaking event which marks the commencement of the 2.5MW solar hybrid power project under the Energizing Education Programme phase ll being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency with financial support from the World Bank.
“This intervention started with EEP phase 1, which was financed by the Federal Government through the Green Bond. The programme is already providing sustainable energy to students and staff members of seven Federal universities across the geo-political zones of Nigeria.
“On this occasion, I have the honour to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the commencement of a 2.5MW solar hybrid power plant at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Afaka Campus.
“I want to assure the contractors, Messes Dongfang Electric Corporation-Mutual Commitment Company), the unflinching support of the Federal Government as they embark on building this project that will also provide streetlights, rehabilitation of the distribution network and a renewable workshop/training centre at the NDA.
“With REA as the implementing agency, we expect nothing but a high standard and quality project that will ensure sustainable power supply to this prestigious military academy.”
Salihijo Ahmed, REA’s Managing Director, said the project was part of the Federal Government’s effort to ensure equitable distribution of power to Nigerian communities and universities.
Aside from the NDA, where he also graduated, at least seven other Nigerian universities across the six geographic zones were beneficiaries of phase one of the project.
Among the seven universities, he said, are Bayero University, Kano; Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Federal University of Petroleum, Efurun; Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; as well as Federal University Ndufu -Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi.
According to him, the agency intends to deliver a world-class solar plant to the foremost military university upon completion.
The REA boss said, “Why NDA? NDA because it’s a prestigious university and part of a few other seven universities, and two teaching hospitals were chosen within this particular phase two of the EEP project which we have successfully completed for the first phase. This is just a replica of what we have done in the first phase with funding from the World Bank.
“The idea of the 2.5MW is to complement the supply with the national grid. As it stands, the capacity that the university currently demands is far less than the 2.5mw.”
REA Chairman, Hon. Danlami Mohammed Kurfi, also assured that the agency would provide reliable electricity that would impact positively the staff and cadets (students) of the military university.

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