Yemisi Izuora
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in partnership with the European Union and Government of Germany on Wednesday delivered a mega power project to serve five communities in Lagos.
The 505 kilowatt power facility is part of ongoing solar power deployment to underserved areas in the country.
Commissioning the project which is located in Epe area of the state, power minister Joseph Tegbe, said the project is in line with federal government democratization of electricity.
Tegbe, said by virtue of the Electricity Act 2023, President Bola Tinubu made it known that one of the major landmarks that he has done is to decentralize both generation, transmission and distribution from federal to sub-nationals.
“But today’s project, or today’s commissioning, is not just about electricity, it’s not just about decentralization, it’s actually beyond that. What we’ve done here, Rural Electrification Agency, alongside with the sponsors, European Union, the government of Germany and A4&T, is to create a solar mini-grid, thus generating power to unlock economic opportunities for the benefiting communities.
“And we’re not stopping at 5.5 kilowatts. We’re going to break ground now for 5 megawatts that will serve the larger Epe communities. So I give kudos to Mr. President, for power decentralization, for empowering the sub-nationals and empowering private sectors in government.” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the Epe Interconnected Mini-Grid, is delivered under the Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS).
“Today, we are not simply commissioning a power project. We are commissioning economic opportunity, industrial productivity, enterprise growth, and a sustainable future for the people of Epe.
:This project stands as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when visionary leadership, strong partnerships, innovative financing, and community ownership converge around a common objective: delivering reliable electricity to power development.” Aliyu said.
The Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme represents one of the most innovative renewable energy programmes currently being implemented in Nigeria, said Aliyu.
He said that through the generous support of the European Union and the Government of Germany, IMAS has demonstrated that decentralized renewable energy can complement existing distribution infrastructure, improve electricity reliability, stimulate local economies, and enhance the quality of life of citizens.
He expressed REA’s appreciation to the European Union and the Government of Germany for their continued partnership and belief in Nigeria’s renewable energy future, noting, ” Through their support, communities that were previously underserved are now becoming centres of economic activity and productivity.:
Aliyu, said since its inception, IMAS-supported projects commissioned across various communities have delivered reliable and affordable electricity to thousands of households, businesses, healthcare facilities, schools, and productive-use enterprises. These projects have reduced dependence on expensive diesel generation, lowered energy costs for businesses, extended productive hours, improved service delivery, and stimulated local economic growth.
The impact has been tangible: increased business revenues, job creation, enhanced security, improved educational outcomes, and stronger investor confidence within beneficiary communities.
The MD, stated that the commissioning of the interconnected mini-grid marks another important milestone in our collective effort to provide reliable and sustainable electricity for productive use.
This infrastructure will serve homes, businesses, commercial enterprises, and critical community institutions while reducing reliance on self-generation and improving power reliability across the area.
The project represents the first phase of REA’s long-term vision for Epe.
Recognizing the tremendous economic potential of this community and the increasing demand for reliable electricity, the Rural Electrification Agency is already working towards the deployment of an additional 5MW of renewable energy capacity within Epe and its surrounding economic clusters.
This expansion will support industrial activities, agro-processing facilities, cold-chain infrastructure, commercial hubs, digital enterprises, educational institutions, and other productive-use applications that will accelerate economic development and job creation across the region.
He noted that one of the most important lessons from IMAS is that sustainable energy transitions are built on partnerships as Government alone cannot deliver universal energy access and even development partners alone cannot achieve scale.
He said, “The private sector alone cannot overcome every market barrier.
Communities alone cannot finance major infrastructure.
But when all stakeholders work together, transformation becomes possible.
The Epe Mini-Grid is therefore a shining example of the power of collaboration.” he stressed.
According to him, the Federal Government provided the enabling policy environment, while the European Union and German Government provided catalytic support and the private sector developers brought technical expertise, innovation, and investment.
He said “This is the partnership model that will drive Nigeria’s energy transition.
“As we pursue the objectives of Mission 300 and Nigeria’s broader electrification agenda, we must continue to strengthen these collaborations to ensure that reliable electricity reaches every productive community, every enterprise, and every citizen.”
Meanwhile, Head of Cooperation, German Embassy, Dr Karin Jansen, representing the German Government, said the project would directly benefit over 8,000 people and reflects the deepening energy partnership between Nigeria and Germany.
She said through the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) jointly funded by Germany and the EU and implemented by GIZ, support had been extended to distribute energy infrastructure serving underserved communities across Nigeria.
Jansen noted that Germany had committed €65 million to development cooperation with Nigeria, including €6.5 million dedicated to strengthening NESP interventions in the power sector.