The Federal Government, on Sunday, announced that it has successfully attracted over $2bn in investments in the renewable energy sector over the past decade. The announcement came through the Rural Electrification Agency.
It announced that that in advancing these achievements, it established partnerships with the World Bank, African Development Bank, Global Alliance for People and Planet, Rocky Mountain Institute, and Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Mutari Ibrahim, the Director of Promotion and Outreach, shared these details in a statement released in Abuja. He stated, “From 2020 to date, REA has provided power to over 7.5 million people, including 1.5 million households, delivering 130 mini-grid projects and 1.3 million standalone home systems.” Furthermore, the Rural Electrification Agency successfully deployed over 1,650 kilometers of solar street lights, thereby enhancing power, security, and economic growth in rural areas.
According to him, in order to advance this substantial accomplishment, the Nigerian government collaborated with prominent entities such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, Global Alliance for People and Planet, Rocky Mountain Institute, and Japan International Cooperation Agency. Additional key partners included the Sustainable Energy for ALL, Agence Française de Développement, the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility, European Union, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, Global Environment Facility, and the United States Agency for International Development, among others.
Ibrahim further emphasized that the REA had completed 1,403 projects under the capital budget, encompassing solar street lights, mini-grid projects, standalone home systems, and grid extension works. Through various programs like the Energizing Education Programme, Energizing Agriculture Programme, Beyond COVID-19, and Economic Clusters, the REA played a pivotal role in delivering over 65 megawatts of power across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
This substantial investment and development in the renewable energy sector signal Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and the advancement of electrification across the nation.
