The federal government of Nigeria has commissioned a 1.6-megawatt solar hybrid mini-grid to serve the Federal University Lafia in Nassarawa State. This project, undertaken by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under the Energising Education Programme (EEP), aims to provide reliable and uninterrupted power supply to the university. The hybrid power plant consists of an approximately 1.6MWp photovoltaic (PV) solar park with a Power Conditioning System (PCS) and an Energy Storage System (ESS).
The commissioning ceremony took place on Thursday in Lafia, Nassarawa State, with Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, expressing gratitude to the President for considering the university for this project. Governor Sule emphasized the importance of building mini-grids to address Nigeria's electrification challenges, noting that this approach can help reach areas without access to electricity. He praised the President and the Minister of Power for their practical approach to solving the country's energy problems.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, reiterated the Federal Government's commitment to ensuring every Nigerian has access to electricity. He highlighted that the government's investment in infrastructure is crucial to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on improving people's lives through electricity. The Minister noted that the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) has already positively impacted universities like FU Lafia and aims to extend this to other Nigerians.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, noted that the federal government is shifting towards coordinated and scalable electrification programs. He praised the Nasarawa State Governor for adopting renewable energy and thanked development partners, particularly the African Development Bank (AfDB), for supporting the Energizing Education Programme (EEP). Aliyu revealed that REA has financed 22 mini-grid projects in Nasarawa and plans to develop 37 more shortly.
The project has already shown positive results, with 300-level student Raimat Abdullahi noting that stable electricity has allowed her to study for longer periods. Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Mohammed Isa Kida, reported that the institution has enjoyed uninterrupted power supply since the test run began. He emphasized that the project will significantly enhance the university's capacity to fulfill its mandate, impacting over 30,000 students and staff members.
The project is expected to improve digital and technology service delivery while bolstering practical training opportunities in renewable energy. Professor Kida praised the inclusion of training for women in STEM alongside the project and assured that the university is committed to safeguarding the facilities to maximize their long-term benefits. The Vice Chancellor highlighted the project's potential to drive socio-economic growth and development in the region.
The 1.6MW hybrid mini-grid is expected to save the university N30m monthly on electricity expenditure. With this project, the university can now provide reliable and uninterrupted power supply to its students and staff, creating a conducive learning environment. The project also aligns with the government's goal of increasing access to electricity and promoting renewable energy in Nigeria.
Key points
- The federal government of Nigeria has commissioned a 1.6MW solar hybrid mini-grid to serve the Federal University Lafia, saving the university N30m monthly on electricity expenditure.
- The project aims to provide reliable and uninterrupted power supply to the university, impacting over 30,000 students and staff members.
- The government plans to develop more mini-grid projects, with REA financing 22 projects in Nasarawa and planning 37 more shortly.
