REA, NABDA Sign MoU to Sustain Rural Electrification through the Exploration of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems:
After sustained correspondences between both agencies, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), successfully signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Abuja on the 21st of November 2021.
As an Agency mandated by the Federal Government to implement renewable energy projects and provide clean, safe and sustainable energy to off-grid, unserved and underserved Nigerians, the REA have consistently maintained an open-door policy for impactful collaborations while working in lockstep with other critical Agencies in Nigeria and across the world.
One of such collaborations led to the signing of an MoU on “Evolving Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Optimized and Sustainable Electricity Supply in the Areas of Operations of Rural Electrification Agency”.
NABDA was established as a specialized Agency of the government mandated to promote, coordinate, develop and deploy cutting-edge biotechnology research and development, processes and products for the socio-economic well-being of the nation.
One of the recent innovations of NABDA is the design of a technology patented as “Biomethanization System for Biodegradable Organic Feedstocks”, marketed as BEGS Digesters Series, a biodigester that converts biodegradable organic feedstock to biogas, which the biogas further used as fuel for electricity generating sets and other range of uses.
Such technologies sync neatly with the REA’s continuous and active quest for innovative ways to improve service delivery and sustainability especially in the usage of off-grid solutions to power communities across Nigeria.
The MD/CEO of REA, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad and the DG/CEO of NABDA, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha as well as other senior management staff and critical team members of both Agencies were present at the NABDA office in Abuja for the signing of the MoU.
The Heads of both Agencies expressed delight at the technological possibilities as well as the opportunities for the exchange of ideas towards improving electrification in Nigeria.
The MD of REA, Engr. Salihijo explained the need to leverage opportunities while exploring other sources of energy to power Nigerian communities, beyond solar.
Already, technical team members from both agencies actively kickstarted the process of optimizing this MoU as the REA is set to leverage NABDA’s BEGS Digester Series on some planned REA projects using biomass systems.
These initial efforts are being explored under the recently launched Research & Innovation Hub at the REA which seeks to nurture innovative approaches to rural electrification by providing grant funding to support promising renewable energy technologies, business models and related research.