The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), in partnership with the federal and state governments, has commenced the construction of 42 renewable energy projects in Kebbi and Adamawa states.

The projects, which are part of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand electricity access, improve power supply, and support economic activities in underserved communities, comprise 39 mini-grid projects in Adamawa State and a 3.5-megawatt solar power project in Kebbi State.

The 39 mini-grid projects were flagged off under the Federal Government’s Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up Programme. The projects comprise three interconnected mini-grids and 36 isolated mini-grids.

The interconnected mini-grids are located in Kofare, Saminaka and Mbamba, with installed capacities of 10 megawatts, 2.6 megawatts and 890 kilowatts, respectively.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the projects would add nearly 27 megawatts of renewable electricity to communities across Adamawa State and are expected to provide electricity to about 40,000 households and businesses across Kofare, Saminaka, Mbamba, Gulak, Michika, Shuwa, Bazza, Belel, Ganye, Song, Hong, Mubi, Guyuk, and other communities.

“Behind every connection is more than a meter. It is a family whose quality of life will improve, a child whose education will be enhanced, an entrepreneur whose business will expand, and a community whose future will become brighter,” Tegbe said.

The minister said the mini-grids were designed to complement the national grid in communities with limited or no electricity supply while encouraging private sector investment in renewable energy.

The Minister praised Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for supporting the project through the provision of land and other implementation support.

Fintiri described the projects as an important step towards improving electricity access in the state.

“This is not just a foundation laying; it is the announcement of our collective resolve to launch a strategic onslaught against energy poverty and to deliberately harness nature’s bounties through alternative energy sources.

“This project will not only light up our communities but open up the state to more prosperity and economic growth,” the governor said.

Fintiri added, “Today, this again is a testament that our word has always been our bond. We have moved the discussion beyond the boardroom to reality,” he said, commending Mahashakti Nigeria Limited and the Yola Electricity Distribution Company for their roles in the project.

“Walking into the future, we aspire to see an Adamawa State where Distributed Renewable Energy solutions power every community, where robust mini-grids connect remote communities, and where our agricultural and transportation sectors are transformed by clean and sustainable energy innovations.”

The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the project aligned with the agency’s objective of expanding electricity access through renewable energy.

“We are gathered here not merely to break ground for infrastructure; we are here to switch on a new future for the people of Adamawa State.

“Years from now, the success of today’s ceremony will not be measured simply by the 27 megawatts we deploy. It will be measured by the businesses created, the jobs generated, the farms mechanised, the schools transformed, the healthcare services improved, and the countless lives changed because reliable electricity became available,” Aliyu said.