The Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is set to add a combined 60.82 megawatts of renewable energy capacity to the national grid through decentralised mini-grid projects across six states.
The milestone was achieved on Wednesday with the groundbreaking of a 13.92-megawatt-peak (MWp) interconnected hybrid solar project in Yobe State, bringing the total capacity of recently launched REA renewable energy projects nationwide to 60.82MW.
Before the Yobe project, the agency had commenced renewable power infrastructure projects with a combined capacity of 46.9MW across five states.
These include a 20MW mini-grid project in Egume, Kogi State; an 11.9MWp project in Ogu-Bolo, Rivers State; and a 10MW installation in Kofare, Adamawa State.
Other ongoing projects include a 3.5MW mini-grid in Ambursa, Kebbi State, and a 1.5MW project in Pankshin, Plateau State.
According to a statement by the REA, the newly launched Yobe project is supported by the World Bank and equipped with 40 distribution transformers designed to improve electricity supply, stabilise power delivery and stimulate commercial activities.
The 13.92MWp capacity will be distributed across several locations, including a 3.20MWp installation in Nguru, a 3.20MWp plant at Yarimaram in Potiskum, a 2.98MWp system in Gashua, a 2.78MWp project at Rugan Fulani in Potiskum, and a 1.76MWp solar installation serving Waziri Ibrahim Estate in Damaturu.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni commended the REA’s efforts, saying the project aligned with his administration’s focus on building resilient infrastructure to support industrial growth and agricultural productivity.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said interconnected hybrid mini-grids were designed to integrate with existing electricity distribution networks.
“We are not merely connecting communities to electricity. We are connecting them to opportunity. We are creating an environment where businesses can grow, young people can innovate, farmers can process more of what they produce, healthcare facilities can provide better services, and local economies can flourish,” Aliyu said.
The REA boss disclosed that beyond the 60.82MW covered by the current nationwide project launches, the agency has 14 additional renewable energy projects in the pipeline for Yobe State.
He said the planned projects, which followed a strategic roundtable held in June 2025, would contribute an additional 15.3MWp of combined capacity when completed.
According to Aliyu, the projects are expected to provide electricity access to 23,870 new connections across several communities, including Jawur Katamma, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu and Dibbwol.
The REA said the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure forms part of ongoing government efforts to increase electricity access, reduce reliance on conventional power sources and support economic development in underserved communities.
