FG expands renewable power with 60.82MW mini-grid rollout
August 6, 2026 12:41 am
By Dare Olawin
The Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency, is set to inject a cumulative 60.82 megawatts of renewable power into the national grid following the rollout of decentralised mini-grid projects across the country.
The milestone was reached on Wednesday with the groundbreaking of a 13.92-megawatt-peak interconnected hybrid solar project in Yobe State. The latest project brings the total capacity of recent REA renewable energy projects launched across six states to 60.82MW.
Before the Yobe project, the agency had commenced 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; and a 10MW installation in Kofare, Adamawa State, a statement by the REA said.
The earlier projects also include 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 capacity comprises 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.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, 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.
Also speaking, the REA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, explained that 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.
He said the projects, which followed a strategic roundtable held in June 2025, would add another 15.3MWp of combined capacity when completed.
According to him, the planned projects are expected to provide electricity access to 23,870 new connections across communities, including Jawur Katamma, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu and Dibbwol.
Dare Olawin is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of reporting experience. He began his career as a community reporter and now covers the energy sector, including oil, gas, electricity, and renewables. Dare’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience, professional development through workshops and conferences, and a strong commitment to accurate and insightful journalism.
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