The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is set to add a cumulative 60.82 megawatts of renewable power into the national grid following the rollout of decentralised mini-grid projects across the country, The Punch reports.

The milestone was reached on Wednesday with the groundbreaking of a 13.92-megawatt-peak interconnected hybrid solar project in Yobe State. This project brings the total capacity of recent REA renewable energy projects to 60.82MW across six states.

According to the agency, it had already commenced a 46.9MW of power infrastructure across five states, including a 20MW mini-grid in Egume, Kogi State; an 11.9MWp project in Ogu-Bolo, Rivers State; a 10MW installation in Kofare, Adamawa State; a 3.5MW mini-grid in Ambursa, Kebbi State, and a 1.5MW project in Pankshin, Plateau State.

The 13.92MWp Yobe project, supported by the World Bank, is equipped with 40 distribution transformers and is spread across major commercial and residential areas to improve electricity supply, stabilise power and stimulate local economic activities.

The project is decentralised into five parts, comprising a 3.20MWp installation in Nguru, another 3.20MWp plant at Yarimaram in Potiskum, a 2.98MWp system in Gashua, a 2.78MWp project at Rugan Fulani in Potiskum, and a 1.76MWp solar installation serving the Waziri Ibrahim Estate in Damaturu.

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony praised the REA’s commitment, noting that the project aligned with his administration’s vision for resilient infrastructure to boost local industrial capacity and agricultural productivity.

Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, REA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said the interconnected hybrid mini-grids were designed to integrate seamlessly with existing distribution networks.

“We are not merely connecting communities to electricity. We are connecting them to opportunity. We are creating an environment where businesses can grow, young people can innovate, farmers can process more of what they produce, healthcare facilities can provide better services, and local economies can flourish,” Dr Aliyu said.

The REA boss disclosed that beyond the 60.82MW covered by the current nationwide groundbreakings, the agency had 14 additional pipeline projects underway in Yobe State alone.