Residents of Doma and Lafia Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, were for the 1st time connected to electricity following the launch of 6 solar minigrids by Husk Power Systems, the rural clean energy services leader in Africa and Asia.
The solar minigrids were launched under the Nigerian Electrification Projects, which is implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency and funded by the World Bank and the AFDB.
According to Husk Power Systems, the newly launched minigrids will provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to about 5,000 households and 500 businesses in Doma and Lafia. The 6 communities accessing electricity for the 1st time are Idadu, Igbabo and Rukubi in Doma LGA, and Kiguna, Akura, and Gidan Buba in Lafia LGA.
Chief Dan Suleiman of Rukubi community told TIA “This is the 1st time we will see electricity in our locality. Everybody was happy, what we don’t dream God brought it to us. Before, we didn’t know what was light, but now we know. Some are used to AC and fan, and those who live in the city can now enjoy.”
One of the challenges however is the high electricity tariff the community has to deal with. As first-time users of electricity, adjusting to the tariff presents a unique challenge.
“We pray for better living and we are the same with the city. It is 24 hours light,” said another resident who spoke to TIA.
Manoj Sinha, Husk co-founder and CEO, said that “Nigeria’s leadership in rural electrification and making minigrids a centrepiece of national energy strategy is a global best practice. Husk Power is proud to be contributing to the government’s vision of public-private partnership to provide clean, quality, reliable electricity that powers economic opportunity for small businesses and households across the country.”
Nigeria’s infamous electricity issues have been the bane of jokes and banter. In February 2021, the World Bank approved $500 million to support the country’s electricity sector.
The governor of Nasarawa State, Eng. Abdullahi Sule who was present at the launch said, “The completion of 6 minigrids by Husk Power Systems in Nasarawa State is an important step in scaling rural electrification and achieving energy access for all Nigerians.” Governor Abdullahi Sule was proud of the collaboration between Nasarawa State, Husk Power, and the Federal Government through the Rural Electrification Agency.
