Nigerians get electricity from solar systems: Energy Minister
Energy Minister Saleh Mamman says the federal government is implementing a robust solar system strategy that will help provide electricity to Nigerians, especially in rural areas.
Mister. Senior Special Assistant to the Minister for Media and Communications Aaron Artimas announced this in a statement in Abuja.
The minister said this to Mubi, Adamawa, during the inauguration of Nigerian solar projects at various local state governments, the statement said.
He listed projects in progress, including 78 kW (kW) at Maiha Cottage Hospital, 78 kW at Gulak Cottage Hospital, 104 kW at Garkida Hospital, 104 kW at Michika General Hospital and 104 kW at Mubi General Hospital.
Others, he said, were 208 kW at the College of Medical Technology, Mubi, 36 kW at Michik’s maternity hospital and 36 kW at PHC Ga’anda.
The minister said the projects were conceived as part of a technical assistance grant initiative funded by the European Union (EU).
“The project is being implemented by the Department for International Development (DFID), which is overseen by the Department of Energy,” he said.
Mamman said the projects were implemented as part of a sustainable, reliable and affordable energy supply, in line with the country’s commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We are grateful to the EU and its implementing partners who worked with us to develop these projects,” he said.
He added that ensuring a reliable electricity supply will improve people’s lives through improved health care and education, as well as job creation.
“Our presence here today reflects a deliberate demonstration of the importance that the state and federal government attach to providing electricity to remote and underserved rural communities across Nigeria using distributed power generation using local resources such as solar.
“I want to instruct the Adamawa government to expand these pilot solar projects and make them sustainable.
“To date, at least over 40 new mini-grid projects have been commissioned across the country, providing reliable power supply to over 40,000 people in off-grid areas.
“These projects are mainly developed through public-private partnerships, which confirms the confidence of the private sector,” he said.
He said the ministry will also provide five million households with solar home systems as part of Nigeria’s economic sustainability plan.
Mamman said the initiative aims to expand access to electricity and reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nigerians.
Governor Umar Fintiri, for his part, thanked the federal government and its partners for the support and cooperation provided to the state.
According to the governor, these projects are very useful for people.
The EU officials on this occasion, who ensured the expansion of such partnerships in the energy sector, described the minister’s support as encouraging.
