Get Guardian on GoogleZamfara unveils electricity policy, commissions 2.2MW solar infrastructure
Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has flagged off the development of two interconnected mini-grids and 35 isolated mini-grids, representing approximately 18.8 megawatts-peak (MWp) of solar generation capacity in Zamfara State.
With the groundbreaking performed yesterday, the new project will connect 125,106 households across Gummi, Gusau, Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Shinkafi, Tsafe and Zurmi local council areas of the state.
The commissioning also featured the unveiling of the Zamfara State Electricity Policy and the signing of a collaboration agreement between the REA and the Zamfara State Government to provide a framework for expanding reliable renewable electricity supply to critical government facilities and public institutions across the state.
Speaking at the event, Governor Dauda Lawal described the unveiling of the state’s electricity policy and the partnership with REA as important steps in the government’s broader economic development strategy.
He said the unveiling of the state electricity policy was a statement of the state’s intention to build a structured, investment-friendly and sustainable electricity market that responds to the needs of the people and the ambitions of the economy.
He stressed that “reliable electricity is indispensable to agricultural transformation, industrial development, healthcare delivery, education and job creation,” stating the government’s commitment to ensuring that renewable energy becomes an important driver of enterprise development, economic opportunity and prosperity across the state.
Also, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the event was a demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to expanding electricity access and supporting state participation in electricity market development.
According to him, the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is pursuing an electricity transformation strategy that recognises the critical role of decentralised infrastructure, state-level market development and private-sector investment.
“The unveiling of the Zamfara State Electricity Policy, the groundbreaking of new mini-grid infrastructure and the commissioning of renewable energy projects demonstrate how policy reforms can be translated into practical development outcomes,” he added.
For the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Dr Abba Aliyu, the Zamfara intervention was an opportunity to demonstrate a new model of electricity development in Nigeria that combines infrastructure investment, state-level policy reform, institutional electrification and private-sector participation.
He explained: “Through the REA, we are advancing 37 mini-grid projects comprising two interconnected and 35 isolated systems, with approximately 18.8MWp of solar generation capacity and 125,106 planned electricity connections across seven Local Government Areas.
“At an illustrative average of five people per household-equivalent connection, this represents a potential reach of over 625,000 people, subject to the actual mix of household, commercial and institutional connections.”
