Efforts to boost power supplies in Nigeria may see the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) get additional electrical materials worth €9 million, approximately N4.2 billion from the German government by this weekend.
According to the Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, the donations fall under the inter-connected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS) of NESP II.
The information was made public when the German Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Martin Huth, paid a visit to Aliyu in Abuja.
At the meeting, the power stakeholders deliberated on the need to boost the electricity supply chain in Nigeria, including renewable energy.
Abubakar affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to address lapses that have been a bane in the power supply chain through the exploitation of renewable energy.
The meeting also afforded the minister an opportunity to x-ray the level of collaboration with G.I.Z under the Nigerian Energy Support Program (NESP), noting that they had remotely mapped over 3,937 settlements, 3244,605 buildings and 60,183km of 11 and 33kv medium voltage line of the grid in 28 states.
He said the data, when collated, will provide information for electrification and planning, cost implications, electricity access and decision making for prospective investors.
Abubakar said six Solar PV mini-grid developed under NESP I is providing sustainable electricity to more than 15,000 people as of 2020, and 100,000 additional people would be reached under NESP II through the Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme (MAS).
While congratulating the newly-elected government in Germany, Abubakar chronicled the collaboration between G.I.Z and Nigeria and noted that NESP II will engender more support in skill development in the sector with 7 vocational training offered, especially targeting an increase of women in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency industry.
The presentation to REA would be sealed on February 17, 2022.
