Determined to fight against oil theft, energy poverty, and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) has successfully electrified the Umuolu community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State with a sustainable solar power system.

The community was plagued by darkness since its creation due to a lack of access to electricity except for the use of generators.

The community, however, glowed in joy with the installation of renewable energy through YEAC’s innovative solar power project.

The 90.12kWh capacity solar power system, designed and installed by YEAC-Nigeria through its subsidiary, YEAC Community Energy and Development and YEAC-UK, is expected to empower the local economy, improve healthcare, education and overall quality of life for the community.

Speaking, the Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Mr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said the primary purpose of the facility is to support government efforts to mitigate pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries and environmental pollution by offering alternative livelihood opportunities powered by renewable energy for artisanal refiners and the youths.

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He stressed that alternative livelihood opportunities and youth empowerment are among the solutions to the Niger Delta agitations and called upon stakeholders to support and continue investing in the transformative initiative of the organisation.

He said: “The idea of contributing to Nigeria’s oil theft mitigation mechanisms through community energy for households and its productive use also posits that with households powered, people would no longer use illegally refined petroleum products, particularly DPK and PMS, to energise their homes.

“This would shrink the market for illegal refiners and reduce incidents of pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries, and environmental pollution, as their supply chain and demand would drastically drop in communities with clean, renewable, and sustainable solar electricity.”

The YEAC director explained that the design of this mini-grid allows for a full capacity of 90 kWh, which can connect at least 262 houses, including businesses in Umuolu, with potential for expansion based on observed increased energy consumption levels.

He said the mandate is to campaign against oil theft, artisanal refineries and pollution.

“We have earmarked 10 solar mini-grids for installation in different communities without electricity in the next couple of years to effectively strengthen our contributions to the fight against pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries, and environmental pollution through alternative livelihood opportunities powered by clean and renewable energy for artisanal refiners and youths.

“With the successful installation, operation, and inauguration of the Umuolu solar mini-grid, YEAC-Nigeria has increased the list of its initiatives aimed at oil theft mitigation mechanisms for Nigeria, which include our proposed Presidential Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative (PACORDI) that recommends the innovation and legalisation of artisanal refineries, Network on Organised Crime in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea (NOCINAG), which has been modified by President Bola Tinubu for establishment as ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF), initiation of the National Conference on Organized Crime in Nigeria and the Gulf (NOCACINAG) as a platform for annual deliberations on ways to tackle organised crime in Nigeria and the West African Subregion,” he said.

Earlier, President General of Umuolu Development Union, Isicheri Stanley Tabowei, lauded YEAC and its partners for the initiative in making the project a reality.

Tabowei said the community, which is over 700 years old, has never experienced electricity other than from generators.

He said, “The commissioning of the solar-powered mini-grid marks a new era of energy independence and environmental stewardship. By harnessing the abundant power of the sun, we are not only ensuring a consistent and sustainable energy supply but also reducing our carbon footprint. This project aligns perfectly with our national goals of promoting green energy and combating climate change.

“This electrification project will provide numerous benefits to our community. It will power homes, businesses, schools, churches, and the hospital, fostering economic growth and improving the standard of living for our people. This project is not just about electricity; it is about creating opportunities, transforming lives, and taking our children away from societal ills.”