50,000 Nigerians benefit as FG, UNDP complete 23 mini-grid projects

Nigeria has officially launched 23 solar mini-grid projects, bringing electricity to an estimated 50,000 people across underserved rural communities. This significant development is part of the Federal Government's broader strategy to enhance the national power grid and accelerate the deployment of off-grid energy solutions.

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I am extremely excited today, not just because of mini-grids or because of partnerships, but because I am seeing a practical reflection of collaboration.

The initiative, a collaborative effort between the Rural Electrification Agency, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Global Environment Facility, is the pilot phase of the Africa Mini-Grids Programme National Project. Themed "Powering Agricultural Value Chains and Stimulating State Energy Markets," the program aims to provide reliable electricity to over 20,000 households, thereby supporting essential services like schools and healthcare facilities, as well as boosting local businesses and agricultural processing centers.

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Today’s event transcends commissioning infrastructure. For me, it marks the transformation of communities.

Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, described the project as a practical demonstration of successful collaboration between government, development partners, and local communities. He emphasized that the initiative goes beyond mere infrastructure development, highlighting its role in transforming livelihoods and revitalizing local economies. Tegbe noted that the projects are already being embraced by communities, with traditional rulers and youth actively protecting the assets due to their understood value.

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We are not just talking about 23 mini-grids. We are talking about 50,000 people, more than 20,000 households and thousands of businesses whose lives will be changed.

Furthermore, Tegbe asserted that renewable energy, particularly solar technology, should be recognized as an integral component of Nigeria's national power generation mix, not merely an alternative or replacement for conventional sources. He pointed to the nation's first solar farm producing 200 megawatts as evidence of this shift. The successful completion of these 23 mini-grids marks a crucial step in Nigeria's efforts to expand energy access and foster sustainable development in rural areas.

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For the avoidance of doubt, renewable energy, especially solar technology, is not an alternative source of power. It is not a generator solution or a diesel replacement strategy. It is an integral part of our national power architecture.