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Enugu govt, energy firms sign deal to electrify four rural communities
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Energy & Infrastructure

Enugu govt, energy firms sign deal to electrify four rural communities

From Premium Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Enugu State Government has partnered with four renewable energy developers to electrify four rural communities.
  • Grant agreements were signed for projects in Okpatu, Ugbawka, Agonta, and Ijabe, funded by the German government through GIZ.
  • The initiative aims to provide electricity within six months, with affordable tariffs ensuring sustainability.

Enugu State is set to bring electricity to four underserved rural communities through a new partnership with renewable energy developers. The state government signed grant agreements with Darway Coast Nigeria Ltd and Sea Solar Energy Limited on Wednesday, marking a significant step in electrifying Okpatu, Ugbawka, Agonta, and Ijabe.

The initiative, part of the Renewable Energy Development for State Electricity Market (REDSEM) program, is supported by the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) and the German Development Agency (GIZ). The German government is funding the procurement of essential infrastructure, including solar panels, batteries, and inverters, for mini-grids with a minimum generation capacity of 200 kilowatts in each community.

In a nutshell, it means that four communities in Enugu State will have electricity within the shortest possible time, potentially within six months if implementation is fast-tracked.

— Chijioke OkonkwoExplaining the timeline for the electrification projects.

Chijioke Okonkwo, chairman of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), stated that electricity could be available within six months if implementation proceeds quickly. While the grant covers 80 percent of the project cost, developers will contribute the remaining 20 percent for civil works and service delivery. The electricity supplied will not be free but offered at affordable tariffs to ensure the long-term sustainability of the projects.

Joshua Garba from GIZ-NESP highlighted that the joint funding comes from the European Union and the German government. He commended Enugu State for its progress in developing a state electricity market, aligning with Nigeria’s Electricity Act. The Secretary to Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, noted that this partnership supports the administration's vision of making Enugu investment-ready through improved infrastructure and strategic donor collaborations.

Enugu State is always mentioned at our meetings and gatherings because of the progress it has made in the electricity sector.

— Joshua GarbaPraising Enugu State's advancements in the electricity sector.
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Originally published by Premium Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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