Rural Clean Energy services leader in Africa and Asia, Husk Power has launched its first six solar hybrid minigrids in
Nigeria, located in Nasarawa State.
The newly launched minigrids will provide clean, reliable and affordable electricity
to about 5,000 households and 500 businesses in Doma and Lafia Local Government Areas
(LGAs).
The six communities accessing electricity for the first time are Rukubi, Idadu and
Igbabo in Doma LGA, and Kiguna, Akura, and Gidan Buba in Lafia LGA.
Co-founder and CEO, Husk Power Manoj Sinha while speaking at the commissioning of the 50KWP in Rukubi, Nassarawa State stated that Husk
Power is proud to be contributing to the government’s vision of public-private partnership to provide clean, quality, reliable electricity that powers economic opportunity for small businesses
and households across the country.
According to Sinha, Nigeria’s leadership in rural electrification and making minigrids a centerpiece of national
energy strategy is a global best practice.
Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule expressed optimism said the completion of the six minigrids by Husk Power Systems in Nasarawa State is an important step in scaling rural electrification and achieving energy access for all Nigerians.
“It is with great pride that Nasarawa State has collaborated with Husk Power, the world’s leading rural clean energy services company, and the Federal Government through the Rural Electrification Agency
to implement these impressive projects, which will ensure clean, safe and reliable electricity for the communities in Rukubi, Idadu, Igbabo, Kiguna, Akura and Gidan Buba”.
The Governor call on the community leaders to take the project seriously because nobody will protect the project but them.
“You are the ones to jealously guide this project, it is your responsibility to protect it with your sweat and effort to ensure its protection”.
“On its maintenance, government will come into that, but you need to protect the project and particularly those handling the project”.
MD/CEO, Rural Electrification Agency, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo said the project is a testament of federal government resolve to increase energy access to Nigerians especially to the unserved and underserved communities.
Apart from improving the economic activities of the communities, the REA is also committed to use off-grid energy in the reduction of carbon emission, this is in line with Paris agreement and climate change.
“It is evident that our intervention in communities is key to accelerate through national development with continued guidance from the federal ministry of power, we will continue to lift up remote communities across the nations through the provision of clean, safe and reliable energy”.
Acting Regional Director for Infrastructure, Africa West and Africa East; Practice Manager, West and Central Africa Energy, Ashish Khanna explained that the World Bank is a proud partner of the Government’s Nigeria Electrification Program (NEP).
“It is 2 years ago that the first solar minigrid was commissioned under NEP at Rokota village since then significant progress has been made with 359 private sector led solar minigrid projects
under development with the potential to provide electricity to 1.1 million people.
“Husk Power is now showing the way in scaling, with the first ever deployment of 6 sites simultaneously under the program, contributing to their ambition to roll-out 500 systems by 2026”.
“Hydro is the cheapest source of electricity, though, but it entails a decentralized energy solutions, which is not likely to happen here soon, but until then, this is the most sustainable solution for this community, because for now, they do not have what to use other than diesel or gasoline”. Chief Maintenance Officer, Husk, William Brent alluded.