Federal Government has unveiled a substantial off-grid electricity project, valued at £17.9 million and funded through a collaborative effort by the European Union and the German government.
This initiative, aimed at reducing the nation’s electricity deficit, was announced by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, during the launch of the third phase of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme in Abuja on Thursday.
The event, jointly organized by the Nigerian government, the EU, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, underscored the commitment of Nigeria and its international partners to expand energy access, particularly in underserved rural areas.
In his address, Mamman highlighted the project’s goal to bridge a substantial gap, with approximately 100 million Nigerians still lacking access to electricity.
“The Phase three of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme is because of the successes recorded in Phases one and two,” Mamman stated.
He added, “Phases one and two have increased access to electricity supply in rural areas in Nigeria. About 100 million people in Nigeria do not have access to electricity.”
This ambitious renewable energy effort reflects Nigeria’s push to boost power access across the country.
Head of Section Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Inga Stefanowicz, emphasized the impact of the initiative, revealing that it aims to provide electricity to five million people.
“We are targeting five million people to gain access to electricity. And some 400 megawatts of renewable electricity are to be generated,” she shared.
Stefanowicz noted that the project includes solar installations for critical health facilities and will work closely with state governments.
She elaborated on the EU’s financial commitment, “EU financing for this project, we have allocated for the first phase £15 million, then £30 million, and for the third stage it is £9 million.”
Germany’s involvement was reinforced by Deputy Ambassador Johannes Lehne, who highlighted Germany’s dedication to supporting Nigeria’s energy transition and improving the power sector.
Similarly, Head of the NESP, Duke Benjamin, remarked on the program’s ongoing effort since 2013 to deliver electricity to rural communities that remain disconnected from the national grid.
Despite multiple efforts, Nigeria’s power challenges persist. The national grid collapsed at least eight times in 2024 alone, significantly impacting the country’s energy stability.
With a population exceeding 250 million, Nigeria’s energy output remains limited to a peak of only 5,000 megawatts, a figure far short of what is needed to meet national demand.
The ongoing NESP is a significant intervention aiming to close the gap in access, boost renewable energy generation, and mitigate the frequency of grid failures.
