The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has commissioned a 100KW solar hybrid mini grid power plant constructed and operated by GVE, Nigeria’s mini-grid developer, in Akpabom Community, Onna local government area.
The project was co-financed by the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), impact investor All On, and the Akwa Ibom state government.
Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, the REA Managing Director/CEO, emphasised the Federal Government’s commitment to meeting its developmental goals by providing electricity access for all.
She stated that “as an agency, we are responsible for powering unserved and underserved communities, therefore, it is fulfilling every time homes, businesses, schools and medical centres are connected to sustainable solar power. Almost immediately, we are able to witness rural communities being transformed with clean energy through the jobs that are created during construction, to their micro and small businesses scaling to larger capacity thanks to reliable electricity.”
Dr. Wiebe Boer, the CEO of All On, a Shell funded off grid energy impact investment company, commented, “As a private investor, we are pleased to partner with the REA and the Akwa Ibom state government to finance GVE to construct and operate this commercial minigrid for the Akpabom community. These kinds of public and private sector collaborations make projects like this bankable and are the best way to close the energy access gap in Nigeria at scale.”
His Royal Highness Obong Barr. Samuel Johnson Efik, the Head of Oniong Clan in Akpabom, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the private sector developer and investor for providing electricity to their small community.
“Our businesses are now fully operational; especially at night. Our fishermen are able to preserve their fish and businesses, in general, are growing. Today is indeed the beginning of better things to come for Akpabom.”
According to GVE Projects Limited Chief Executive Officer Ifeanyi Orajaka, “It is a thing of pride that GVE, an indigenous Nigerian firm, can be a part of developing Nigeria’s rural areas and growing the evolving off grid energy sector in the country. We are very grateful to the REF, our private investors All On and the European Union Electrification Finance Initiative (ElectriFI) for co-investing in our company and the Akwa Ibom state Government for co-funding and providing tremendous support towards the success of the project through the state Ministry of Science and Technology”
The installed Akpabom mini grid, comprising a total of 306 solar panels and a distribution network cable of 5.5KM, will adequately energize the community..