FG allocates ₦100bn for solar mini-grids in public institutions

• Published On: 11 February 2025 at 18:37

The Federal Government plans to install solar mini-grids in public institutions nationwide, allocating ₦100 billion in the 2025 budget.

The initiative, which is part of the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative, aims to reduce governance costs by saving money on diesel, generators, and maintenance.

Abba Aliyu, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), revealed this in an interview with Channels Television's The Morning Brief on Tuesday.

Aliyu stated that once President Bola Tinubu approves and signs the budget, the REA will begin the electrification project to provide government institutions with reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly power.

He stated that the government has reviewed energy budgets for public institutions, highlighting the high costs of diesel and generator maintenance.

"If you look within the budget, you'll notice Mr. President's new initiative, which was presented by the Honourable Minister of Power, called the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative—a new concept designed to reduce the cost of governance. It has been allocated N100 billion.

He noted that ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) spend a significant amount of money each year on fuel procurement and generator repairs. "To address this, funds are being provided for us to solarize these institutions. That amount of money in our national budget intended for diesel purchases, generator purchases, and repairs can be diverted to other important sectors of the Nigerian economy," Aliu said.

Aliyu stated that solar mini-grids would be installed in universities and teaching hospitals as part of the project. He cited the recent protest by University of Ibadan students over a 100-day power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), in which Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu assured them that electricity would

"We are looking at five institutions, including the UCH. We are also targeting the University of Lagos, the University of Ibadan and its teaching hospital, Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Nigeria in Nsukka, and Ahmadu Bello University," he said.

Aliyu set an ambitious timeline, stating that within six months, the REA will have completed at least two of the eight planned mini-grids for universities and one for a teaching hospital.

Additionally, at least 60 mini-grids and 40 interconnect grids will be installed to improve energy reliability in public institutions.