REA ANNOUNCES SECOND LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP WITH RESCOs TO DELIVER 350MW OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
Building on its commitment to achieving universal energy access through Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria has signed a historic agreement with EM-One, a leading integrated energy solutions and renewable energy company. This marks the second such partnership, following the REA’s collaboration with Husk Power announced yesterday. These agreements represent a significant step forward in realizing the REA's vision of a robust network of RESCOs delivering clean and reliable electricity to even the most remote corners of Nigeria.
The MoU with EM-One signifies a combined commitment to deliver an additional 250 MW of interconnected mini-grids (IMGs) across Nigeria. These IMGs will target peri-urban and rural communities, with a particular focus on sites with large-scale anchor loads like factories or commercial centers. These anchors will not only power their own operations but also serve as hubs, illuminating surrounding underserved communities. The IMGs are a core component of the REA's Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale Up (DARES) project, aiming to enhance energy access, stimulate local economies, and promote balanced development across Nigeria.
The partnership with EM-One, alongside the previous agreement with Husk Power signed at the Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF), brings the total combined commitment to a staggering 500 MW of renewable energy delivered through Mini-Grids. This signifies a major leap forward in the REA's vision for a network of RESCOs that can empower underserved communities across Nigeria.
The MoUs also pave the way for cutting-edge technologies like smart grids and decentralised systems to be integrated with IMGs. The integration of such technologies will increase grid visibility, optimize power flows, and enable large-scale grid interconnection of renewable energy, ultimately modernizing Nigeria's energy infrastructure and ensuring efficient energy distribution.
Beyond community electrification, the REA is exploring the electrification of health facilities with dedicated solar mini-grids. This initiative, along with the promotion of other value chain enhancing productive-use cases such as electric vehicles (EVs) for sustainable transport solutions, further demonstrates the REA's commitment to a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development in Nigeria.
Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "This collaboration with EM-ONE is a significant step towards our goal of universal energy access in Nigeria. By scaling up renewable energy projects and supporting RESCOs, we are not only addressing the immediate energy needs of our communities but also fostering long-term economic growth and environmental sustainability."
CEO of EM-ONE, Mir Islam, highlighted the innovative aspects of the partnership, "We are excited to work with REA to bring cutting-edge technologies like smart grids and decentralised systems to address the challenge of energy access in Nigeria. These solutions will not only enhance energy efficiency but also ensure that renewable energy can be reliably integrated into the national grid at scale."
This partnership with EM-One, combined with the earlier agreement with Husk Power, sets a new global standard for expanding access to clean energy through decentralized solar solutions. By prioritizing the needs of local communities, this initiative goes beyond simply providing electricity. It empowers communities with the tools and resources they need to maximize the benefits of renewable energy.
