In a landmark development, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power laid the foundation for the Rubochi 900kWp interconnected and the Ikea 100kWp solar mini-grid.
This initiative, recognized as the largest mini-grid plant in the country, marks a significant stride in transforming the lives of communities in the Federal Capital Territory ,FCT, Abuja.
Represented by Engr. Samuel Ayangeor, Assistant Director of Renewable and Rural Energy Access, Chief Adelabu expressed joy for the impactful support to the people of Rubochi, Ikwa, Gada Biyu, and Kugbaru. The groundbreaking ceremony witnessed the initiation of standalone mini-grids under the Korean Energy Project, facilitated by the Rural Electrification Agency ,REA.
The project, set to add 1.6MWp and 3.0MWhr capacity, aims to energize 7,300 residential and commercial homes, fostering a socio-economic transformation in the beneficiary communities. Chief Adelabu emphasized the project’s role in alleviating energy poverty, a challenge that has persisted across nations.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Adelabu highlighted recent transformative changes in the power sector, notably the people-centered Electricity Act designed for sector decentralization and expanded investment opportunities through State Governments. He commended the REA for its efforts in fostering sustainability through the growth of the Productive Use Market in Nigeria.
Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, the Managing Director of REA, underscored the profound health and economic impacts faced by rural communities due to non-renewable or polluting energy sources. The Korean Energy Project, coordinated by Dr. Salman Bello, is set to deploy power to three communities, with Rubochi becoming the largest mini-grid in the country.
Dr. Bello assured the communities that after a decade without electricity, they would be energized within a year, providing reliable and clean power. The project, designed for a 25-year lifespan, incorporates sustainability dimensions, with plans for a cooperative to support its long-term operation.
The Rubochi community head, Alhaji Ibrahim Pada Sa, expressed gratitude for the government’s project in their community, noting the transformative impact it would have on the lives of the people. With 4,400 households set to benefit upon completion, the Rubochi solar mini-grid represents a beacon of hope for communities long deprived of electricity.
Crediblenews.ng
