The Delta State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for the deployment of off-grid electricity to 471 unserved communities, in a move projected to add $2.9 billion to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The agreement, signed yesterday in Abuja during the REA’s “State-by-State Roundtable Engagement” themed “Unlocking Distributed Energy Investments for Industrial Growth and Inclusive Access in Delta State”, is also expected to create about 31,220 jobs in the renewable energy sector.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who pledged Delta’s full commitment to the initiative, said the state is ready to leverage the suite of impactful programmes on offer by the REA to tackle energy poverty and expand economic opportunities.
During its presentation, the state government highlighted Delta’s strong renewable energy potential, particularly in solar power, citing an annual average solar radiance of 4.53 kilowatts per hour — the highest in the South-South region.
The project is seen as a major step towards improving energy access, driving industrial growth, and reducing unemployment through sustainable clean energy investments.
