Nigeria plans to expand its electricity generation capacity to 209,000 megawatts by 2050, especially with 53 large-scale renewable solar power projects valued at about $11bn underway, according to a report by IIR.

The projects aim to strengthen Nigeria’s energy mix and improve electricity access, particularly in underserved communities, and are expected to make a huge contribution to the country’s long-term energy transition plans, which prioritise solar expansion as a key driver of future electricity supply.

The initiative, led by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is deploying more than 1,300 solar mini-grids and off-grid power systems to expand electricity access in rural and underserved areas.

REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, described the initiative as a landmark intervention in Nigeria’s power sector.

“For the first time, we are witnessing the implementation of the biggest publicly funded renewable electricity project in the entire world. It is a $750m project that will catalyse $1.1bn in private sector funding to deploy 1,350 mini-grids across the country.

“For the first time in the history of the country, the Federal Government is positioning the renewable energy sector of the Nigerian economy as the alternative source of electricity in the country. It’s the easiest and most economically viable means of powering the country, and we have an abundance of renewable energy sources. President Bola Tinubu is positioning Nigeria now to be the renewable hub of Africa, and there is a structured programme which will see 17.5 million Nigerians (20 per cent of the population) provided with electricity in just three years.”