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Tag: Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

  • REA, InfraCorp, Solarge BV set up firm to establish 1GW of solar

    REA, InfraCorp, Solarge BV set up firm to establish 1GW of solar

    In a landmark move to accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition and industrialization agenda, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp), and Solarge BV of the Netherlands, have formally announced the creation of Solarge Nigeria Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will establish and operate a 1 gigawatt (GW) solar photovoltaic (PV) panel manufacturing facility in Nigeria.

    The agreement was signed at InfraCorp office, in Abuja.

    This co-ownership and strategic offtake agreement/collaboration, aligns with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s National Public Sector Solarization Initiative (NPSSI) and the broader objectives of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), which aim to scale clean energy access across public institutions, while building robust local content in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.

    The special purpose vehicle (SPV), Solarge Nigeria Limited will be co-owned by: InfraCorp, REA and Solarge BV (Netherlands).

    REA which made this known in a press statement yesterday, said  the public-private partnership will leverage InfraCorp’s investment mobilization capacity, REA’s policy leadership in rural electrification and public sector solarization, and Solarge BV’s advanced technology and manufacturing expertise, to localise high-quality solar PV production in Nigeria.

    REA said the highlights of the project are 1GW Solar PV Factory and the others below.

    The agency added that it has a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to be constructed in Nigeria, with a target of 50 per cent local content within the first three years.

    The statement said the facility will support significant technology transfer, capacity building, and job creation, thus furthering Nigeria’s energy transition and industrial policy goals.

    Under the agreement, REA has committed to procure at least 200Mw of solar modules per year over five years from Solarge Nigeria Limited for NPSSI, RHIDF, and other public electrification programs.

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    In his address during the signing of the offtake agreement, Director General, Budget office, Tanimu Yakubu kurfi: “This partnership exemplifies the type of innovation and collaboration that the Federal Government seeks to promote under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund. It not only supports our fiscal sustainability goals, but also deepens Nigeria’s industrial base and energy self-reliance.”

    Also speaking, the, Managing Director/CEO of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu said: “Through this joint venture, we are not only creating access to clean energy, but also building the local capacity to manufacture it. This initiative aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda and our mandate to electrify communities and institutions.”

    The Managing Director/CEO of InfraCorp,  Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, added: “Solarge Nigeria Limited represents a bold step towards local manufacturing and energy sovereignty. We’re proud to partner with REA and Solarge BV to build a resilient and sustainable energy future for Nigeria.”

    The CEO of Solarge BV, Joost Brinkman, also expressed enthusiasm, saying, “we are excited to bring our technology and experience to this landmark initiative. Solarge Nigeria Ltd will set a new benchmark for solar manufacturing in Africa — built by Nigerians, for Nigerians.”

    The statement reads in part: “Solarge Nigeria Ltd will be governed by a Board of Directors, representing all shareholders, including an independent non-executive director. A dedicated Project Management Office (PMO) and Offtake Coordination Desk will ensure seamless execution, regulatory compliance, and alignment with public procurement frameworks.

    “The journey toward energy transition began with the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Budget Office of the Federation, InfraCorp, and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

    “This event marked the formal launch of the National Public Sector Solarization Initiative (NPSSI) — a flagship government-led program to deploy distributed solar energy solutions across public institutions, such as schools, hospitals, security posts, and government offices.

    “The initiative addresses a key national priority,: providing clean, reliable energy to critical infrastructure, reducing diesel dependency, and cutting the public sector’s carbon footprint.

    “The MoU also underscores stronger public-private collaboration to drive localised renewable energy manufacturing and transition Nigeria toward more sustainable energy financing models.”

  • REA targets 86 million people without electricity to position Nigeria as West Africa’s renewable energy hub

    REA targets 86 million people without electricity to position Nigeria as West Africa’s renewable energy hub

    The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has pledged to leverage Nigeria’s 86 million people without access to electricity to transform the country into the renewable energy hub of West Africa.

    Speaking in Abuja at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the agency and 10 Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs), REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu emphasised that while many view Nigeria’s electricity deficit as a challenge, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sees it as an opportunity for economic growth.

    His words: “And that clear mandate is nothing other than making Nigeria to be the renewable hub of West Africa. We have a total of about 86 million Nigerians without access.

    “A number of people will see that as a challenge facing the country. But the present government, led by President Tinubu, wants to capitalize on this challenge to turn it into opportunity.

    “We want to leverage on this 86 million Nigerians that do not have access to make Nigeria to be the renewable hub of West Africa.”

    Throwing light on how to provide electricity for the 86 million people, he said there is the need for financing, implementation vehicles, operational framework and the domestication of the value chain in Nigeria.

    He added that there is also the need for talent development in the renewable energy field.

    Stressing the financial commitment of the present administration to the development of renewable energy, he revealed that the government has signed the largest public sector funded renewable project in the entire West Africa.

    He said, “First, when it comes to financial, it is on record that this government has signed the biggest public sector funded renewable project in the entire West Africa.”

    He noted that the 750 million dollar Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project has not only been signed, but the project has already started.

    He added that REA has started with the 14 interconnected mini-grids that would not only create reliability for the underserved, but also be the basis upon which the country would scale up its intervention.

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    In the bid to scale up the development of renewable energy in the country, he said the agency sought an amendment to the regulation that capped a mini – grid at 1MW.

    He said the agency got the approval to develop a mini-grid above 1MW.

    Aliyu said, “Most of us here know that the mini-grid regulation has a top of one megawatt, right?

    “But because we really want to scale up our intervention, we engaged a regulator, and it is on record we exchanged over eight letters back and forth with the regulator.

    “And at the end of the day, they gave us approval to implement a project that is above one megawatt.”

    He revealed that REA is targeting to generate 14 interconnected mini-grids for the deployment of an unprecedented interconnected mini-grid of 21.5 MW.

    He said to scale up the financial intervention of renewable energy development, in addition to the 750 million dollar DARES project the agency already has, Tinubu has approved a N100 billion funding for rural electrification agencies to implement the National Public Sector Solarization Initiative.

    He described it is a federal government initiative to reduce cost of governance.

  • Federal Polytechnics urge REA to energise off-grid campuses

    Federal Polytechnics urge REA to energise off-grid campuses

    Committee of Chairmen Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics across Nigeria, led by Senator Barnabas Gemade have urged the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to energise the technology based institutions campuses that are off-grid with solar.

    Gemade said the courtesy visit was to discuss the urgent need for solar power intervention in Federal Polytechnics.

    The high-level engagement underscored the importance of sustainable energy solutions in strengthening technical education and fostering economic growth.

    The Committee Chairman, representing all 36 federal polytechnics in Nigeria, reiterated the need to electrify these institutions, particularly those in areas yet to be connected to the national grid.

    The discussions centered around the acceleration of the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative (NPSSI), a strategic program aimed at providing clean, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions to critical public sector institutions, including polytechnics.

    Speaking during the meeting, the REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, emphasised the agency’s commitment to expanding access to sustainable energy across educational institutions.

    He highlighted the agency’s ongoing efforts through the Energising Education Programme (EEP), a landmark initiative that has successfully deployed solar hybrid power plants to Federal Universities and Teaching Hospitals across the country.

    The EEP, currently in its third phase, is energising approximately 20 Federal Universities and three Affiliated Teaching Hospitals, delivering clean energy solutions that improve learning environments and foster innovation.

    The courtesy visit also explored the potential for skills development and capacity building in the renewable energy sector.

    The committee sought REA’s collaboration in establishing world-class training centers within polytechnics to equip students with hands-on skills in solar technology, installation, and maintenance, thereby enhancing employability and contributing to Nigeria’s green economy.

    The Managing Director assured the delegation of REA’s readiness to collaborate with the polytechnics in expanding renewable energy adoption.

    He reaffirmed that initiatives such as NPSSI align with the federal government’s vision for energy security, economic empowerment, and sustainability.

    This strategic engagement highlights the REA’s commitment towards accelerating Nigeria’s energy transition by ensuring that higher institutions of learning, particularly polytechnics, are well-equipped with clean energy solutions.

    The REA and the Committee of Chairmen Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics pledged to work closely to drive impactful solar energy interventions that will enhance education and economic growth in Nigeria.