As part of its commitment to provide equitable access to electricity across regions in Nigeria, the Federal Government, through its Implementing Agency, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), will Tuesday commission 98.8KW solar hybrid mini grid power plant at Kare-Dadin Kowa, in Kebbi State.
Kare-Dadin Kowa is a small riverine community in Argungun local government area of Kebbi State, with a total population of about 3,180 people, whose major vocations are agriculture and fishing.
A statement issued on Monday said when commissioned, the solar hybrid mini grid system will provide clean energy to 483 residential buildings, 82 commercial buildings and will serve over 3,000 inhabitants of Kare-Dadin Kowa.
The statement also said a total of 565 high grid solar panels had been installed to power homes, businesses, places of worship, schools, health centers etc.
The Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is the Implementing Agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) tasked with electrification of unserved and underserved communities. The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) provides equitable access to electricity across Nigeria to maximize the economic, social and environmental benefits of rural electrification grants, to promote off-grid electrification, and to stimulate innovative approaches to rural electrification.
REF projects are administered using a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The first call of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) will energize 12 communities and deploy 19,000 Solar Home Systems (SHS).
Speaking on the project’s implementation, REF Executive Director, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare, said, “Kare-Dadin Kowa community is the second of twelve communities earmarked to benefit from REF grants. This is due to following and attaining legal, regulatory and procurement compliance and no objection from the Federal Government.”
The statement said In line with REF’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, the project executed by Nayo Tropical Technology Limited was constructed in line with international standards and best practice.
