In a bid to tackle the challenge of unstable electricity supply in the country, the Federal Government has flagged off the construction of a 3.5-megawatt (MW) solar mini-grid in Kebbi State.
The project, being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is valued at over 10 million US dollars and is expected to be completed within eight months.
The project site, located in Ambursa town and donated by the Kebbi State Government to the REA, will host the 3.5MW solar mini-grid. The facility is expected to provide electricity to about 1,500 households, including the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Abba Aliyu, said more than 5,000 solar photovoltaic panels would be installed as part of the project. He also announced that the agency would construct 15 additional isolated mini-grids across Gwandu, Yauri, Bagudo, Koko/Besse, and Shanga Local Government Areas.
“We are committing a total investment of over 10 million US dollars to deploy the solar farm, including the installation of over 5,000 solar photovoltaic panels, 5 megawatts of battery storage, rehabilitation of 30 distribution transformers, construction of more than three kilometres of distribution lines, and deployment of over 10 inverters,” he said.
Aliyu added that the Ambursa project was only the beginning of the agency’s intervention in Kebbi State.
“Your Excellency, this project is a demonstration, not a strategy. We did not come to Kebbi State to break ground on just one project. Alongside this interconnected mini-grid, the Rural Electrification Agency is developing an additional 15 isolated mini-grids across the state,” he said.
The project’s contractor, Elias Estelly, said the facility would comprise about 5,000 solar panels, 10 hybrid inverters of 350-kilowatt capacity each, and three 650KVA backup generators.
According to him, the generators will provide electricity whenever there is insufficient sunlight, ensuring a reliable power supply alongside the battery storage system.
“With this system, we can ensure power availability for at least 20 hours daily,” he said.
READ ALSO: Naira To Dollar Exchange Rate Today, July 6, 2026
Speaking at the event, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris commended President Bola Tinubu for the initiative, describing the project as a major boost to critical infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, schools, and other public institutions.
The governor reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with development organisations and the private sector to expand access to electricity, assuring that host communities would protect and safeguard the project.
The Kebbi solar mini-grid project is part of the Federal Government’s 750-million-US-dollar renewable energy programme, supported by the World Bank, which aims to deliver more than 250 interconnected mini-grids and provide electricity access to about 17.5 million Nigerians.
