PRESS RELEASE
REA COMMISSIONS ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CONTROL CENTER AND CONDUCTS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR 900kWp INTERCONNECTED SOLAR MINI GRID AT RUBOCHI COMMUNITY, KUJE AREA COUNCIL INCLUDING 100kWp AT IKWA WARD, GWAGWALADA, ABUJA UNDER THE KOREAN ENERGY PROJECT
November 22, 2023
Abuja, Nigeria – The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) commissions a state-of-the-art energy management system control center capable of hosting all mini grids in the country, at its corporate headquarters in Abuja and conducted the groundbreaking of 900kWp solar mini grid at Rubochi Community, Kuje Area Council, as well as a 100kWp at Ikwa Ward, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja in Phase I of the Korean Energy Project.
This significant milestone is a testament of the Agency’s efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation with foreign development partners such as the Korean Institute for Advancement of Technology and its Korean implementing consortium partners (Iljin Electric, S&D Powernics, Korea Smart Grid Association and Technology University of Korea) under the Korean Energy Project. This reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment towards increasing energy access to unserved and underserved areas across the country.
The Korean Energy Project seeks to establish an integrated energy management system capable of hosting all mini grids in the country and four (4) standalone mini-grids (total capacities 1.6 MWp & 3.0 MWh) in 4 (four) unelectrified areas around the Federal Capital Territories (FCT) as well as capacity building to technical skills. Other auxiliary productive use equipment including smart metering, energy efficient lighting, water systems etc.) as part of the intervention. All the aforementioned are being achieved through an In-Kind-Grant.
The Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, stated “Collaborations such as these will help bridge the gap between the served and the unserved. It is the belief of the Federal Ministry of Power that these projects will be delivered on time and with the best standard for our people.”
The Managing Director/CEO of REA, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, stated “The milestone achieved under the Korean Energy Project is a testament of our resolve towards collaboration with development partners in delivering our mandate. The REA is always thrilled with the deployment of sustainable electricity in our communities. The MoU for this project was signed last year and we are glad the project has reached the point commissioning this state-of-the-art Energy Management System Control Center and subsequent groundbreaking of the 900kWp interconnected solar mini grid at Rubochi community as well as 100kWp at Ikwa. We look forward to the completion of the two in Quarter 1, 2024 and the remaining before the year ends.”
The Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Kim Young-Chae stated “The Republic of South Korea has made a commitment through the Official Development Assistance fund to support the Nigerian Power Sector particularly on the development of Solar Mini-grids. This is because we understand the role of solar power generation on energy access and climate resilience. Rural electrification requires unique granular data which is why the Government of Korea is also undertaking the Integrated Energy Management System to enable efficient planning and design concepts. The EMS can host all mini-grids data hence will strengthen the position of REA on central coordination role. The Korean Government is also seeking to strengthen and promote its cooperation with the Nigerian Government for the prosperity of both nations.”
What we have witnessed today is the commissioning of the control center while the groundbreaking and foundation laying ceremony for one of the mini grids to be deployed under the Korean Energy Project will follow on Thursday, 16th November 2023 at Rubuchi Community, Kuje Area Council, Abuja.
About the Rural Electrification Agency
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is the Implementing Agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under the Federal Ministry of Power tasked with the electrification of unserved and underserved communities to catalyze economic growth and improve quality of life for Nigerians. The Agency was established under part IX, Sections 88- 89 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), 2005.
The REA is currently implementing the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Capital Projects, Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), Solar Power Naija (SPN), Energizing Education Programme (EEP), Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI), Energizing Agriculture Programme (EAP), Energy for All – Mass Rural Electrification and Research and Innovation Hub. Africa Mini Grids Programme, Derisking Sustainable Off-Grid Lighting Solutions and the Korean Energy Project.
The Agency is responsible for creating an enabling environment for private sector-led projects, which includes conducting feasibility assessments, energy audits, enumeration, data analysis, identification of qualified private sector developers, and project stakeholder engagements.
For enquiries, please contact the Rural Electrification Agency:
info@rea.gov.ng