The Federal Authorities has introduced progress in its drive to increase clear power entry throughout the nation, revealing that the Rural Electrification Fund has attracted N5.8bn in non-public sector funding.
The programme managed by the Rural Electrification Company is a part of a broader technique to stimulate rural improvement via sustainable power options to underserved Nigerians.
The REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, disclosed this throughout the “REF Name 3 Grant Award Signing Ceremony and Entry to Finance Workshop” held on Tuesday in Abuja.
On the ceremony, the electrification company and about 58 firms signed agreements to supply photo voltaic mini-grids and photo voltaic residence methods.
The REA MD stated the occasion represents the company’s renewed dedication to reworking lives via sustainable and inclusive power entry.
Represented by the Govt Director, Company Service, Ayoade Adegboyega, the REA boss stated its interventions have enabled the deployment of 124 mini-grids, the set up of over 25,580 Photo voltaic Dwelling Techniques, and the empowerment of 18,013 micro, small, and medium enterprises.
He acknowledged that the interventions culminated within the achievements of 16.6MW of renewable power put in capability and created over 26,000 jobs and averted 91,720 tons of CO2 emissions.
He stated, “In the present day, we mark not only the start of a brand new chapter within the journey of the Rural Electrification Company, but additionally a renewed dedication to reworking lives via sustainable and inclusive power entry. Since its inception, the Rural Electrification Fund has stood as an emblem of innovation, resilience, and measurable affect.
“Collectively, these interventions have enabled the deployment of over 124 mini-grids, the set up of over 25,580 photo voltaic residence methods, and the empowerment of 18,013 micro, small, and medium enterprises, impacting 183 communities throughout all 36 states of the Federal Capital Territory.
“Past these numbers lies a deeper story of transformation, 16.6 MW of renewable power capability put in, over 26,000 jobs created, 91,720 tons of CO₂ emissions averted, and N5.8 billion in non-public sector funding attracted.”
Aliyu famous that the interventions impacted 183 communities throughout all 36 states and the FCT.
By means of REF Name 1, Name 2, and different flagship initiatives such because the Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme, the World Cleantech Innovation Programme, and the De-risking Sustainable Off-Grid Lighting Options, he stated the company persistently demonstrated the achievable imaginative and prescient with strategic execution.
He stated that the graduation of REF Name 3, the company’s mission went far past scaling capacities to about scaling affect and touching extra lives.
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This subsequent part, he stated, “is designed to deepen penetration into underserved areas, catalyse productive use of power, and foster higher empowerment of MSMEs, women-led companies, and agricultural worth chains. These achievements aren’t simply knowledge factors.
“They signify lives empowered, school rooms illuminated, well being centres revived, and twin economies set into movement.”
Aliyu congratulated the profitable builders chosen below the newest part of the programme, urging them to strategy the implementation with a renewed sense of urgency and dedication to excellence.
He warned towards delays in mission completion, stressing the significance of well timed supply in assembly nationwide electrification targets.
He famous, “To our builders, I urge you to deal with this part with a renewed sense of urgency and excellence.
“Challenge timelines should be handled with the seriousness they deserve. The expertise with previous delays, notably different packages equivalent to IMAS, has taught us the crucial significance of strict adherence to the one-year mission cycle. Extended deployment timelines will not be tolerated.
“You might be anticipated to fulfill all specified technical requirements necessities, each for mini-grids and SHS elements. Well timed, clear communication with the Company shouldn’t be optionally available. It’s anticipated.
“We rely in your professionalism to replace the Company correctly on mission milestones and potential pink flags, enabling proactive assist and well timed decision. To each new and present builders, whereas we commend the efforts made thus far, let me emphasise that it is a dynamic and quickly evolving business. As extra gamers enter the sphere, innovation drives new benchmarks.”
In her overview of the Rural Electrification Fund and its programmess, the REF Director, Doris Uboh, emphasised the sustainability of the REF initiatives.
She sought adherence to the operational pointers of REF. Uboh insisted that the businesses should make sure the success of the vegetation.
She stated, “Established by the Electrical energy Energy Sector Reform Act of 2005 and revitalised below the Electrical energy Act of 2023, REF is a strategic financing arm of the Rural Electrification Company, designed to unlock electrical energy entry in rural and peri-urban areas of Nigeria. Our mission may be very clear. One, it’s to affect the underserved and the unserved, to energise improvement and to construct a future the place no Nigerian is left at nighttime.
“REF embodies the very best of public-private partnerships, mixing authorities commitments with non-public sector innovation to ship sustainable decentralised power options. We fund what issues. Mini-grids and photo voltaic residence methods that present 24-hour entry to dependable electrical energy and affect the productive use of power, in addition to social and financial actions. We’re leaving any section of society behind, which is crucial issue, the sustainability plan that comes with our initiatives.”
