Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has empowered rural areas in Ogun, Lagos and Osun with solar installation.
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have benefitted from same empowerment.
The agency focuses on implementing solar solutions in communities that previously relied on unreliable or non-existent energy infrastructure.
The agency noted that the Energising Economies Initiative (EEI) introduced in 2017 by the Federal Government was to facilitate the swift implementation of off-grid electricity solutions for MSMEs.
The initiative is in collaboration with private sector developers, aiming to provide reliable and sustainable energy access to support the growth and productivity of MSMEs.
According to the agency, it aims to bring solar energy to remote areas and rescue already crumbling businesses.
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In Osun, 48 shops in Ayegbaju International Market benefited from the solar installation programme as REA is poised to implement the second phase soon.
Chairman of the market, Oroleye Mustapha, said: “We really appreciate it from the Federal Government for zoning it here to Ayegbaju International Market, making us one of the beneficiaries of this project. I’m using this medium to appeal to the agency that they should carry out the second phase of the project as soon as possible.”
The Managing Director Rural Electrification Agency, Ahmad Salihijo, AN ENGINEER, who was also on the visit for inspection said: “We came on inspection for one of the projects which is part of our systematic approach to budgeting that we have been doing in the last couple of years where we are looking at alleviation of poverty especially around agricultural sector.
“What we saw here is a construction of 100kw solar grid field at Ijebu development initiatives on poverty reduction in Eriwa farm settlement in Ijebu,Odogbolu Local Government, Ogun State, to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy as this will eliminate need to buy fuel in pumping the over 40 large fish ponds which ordinarily will cost each pond owners N15,000 to pump their pond.
“From what I’ve seen today the project is more or less complete because they have gone ahead to power one of the feed mill but this sort of visit is important so that you can fine tune the economics of the service that is being provided. As we know, everything needs to be built on sustainability and viability.”
Salihijo, along with a team of agency officials, also conducted a visit to Makoko community in Lagos State to assess the influence of the agency’s decentralised solar systems on the community.
He stated that the solar systems are free to Makoko residents, adding that only business and industrial areas are required to pay.
The MD/CEO explained that few schools, religious establishments and small and medium enterprises benefited from the agency’s project in Makoko.
He said: “In Makoko, the Solar Power Naija (SPN) programme has deployed nine large capacity solar home systems (SHS) to energise schools and clinics, and an additional 18 smaller capacity SHS for powering homes. These installations have had a direct impact on the local economy, enabling improved educational facilities, enhanced healthcare services, and increased productivity in households.
“We deployed almost six months ago, over 30 units in schools, hospitals and homes. We came so that we can access what we have done so far. The major reason for accessing it is to understand the optimal deployment for this system. We are currently doing that. We have come to see what has happened with the first deployment. I am very happy with the feedback.”
The agency added that the impact of this would foster sustainable agricultural practices, enhance rural livelihoods and contribute to food security.
According to REA, the goal of the solar project is to rapidly establish connections for over 100,000 establishments located within identified economic clusters nationwide.
“Around 70 per cent of these projects are planned to be powered by renewable energy sources. The direct or indirect impact of this endeavor is expected to improve the lives of approximately 7 million individuals. As part of the broader Energy Efficiency Initiative (EEI), more than 340 economic clusters have already been identified throughout the country. These clusters collectively have an estimated energy demand of 3-4GW, presenting a combined market opportunity of approximately USD 955M per year. Additionally, renewable energy is projected to account for 70 per cent of the projects implemented within these clusters,” the agency said.