REA partners with Husk Power Systems to install 250MW DRE projects in Nigeria

TThe Nigeria Rural Electrification Agency has announced a partnership with partner Husk Power Systems to install decentralized renewable energy (DRE) projects across Nigeria with a capacity of up to 250 MW.

The objective of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) collaboration is to support the Nigerian Federal Government’s objectives on energy access, energy transition and energy security. The projects are part of the USD 750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project funded by the World Bank and administered by REA, scheduled to launch later in 2024.

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Innovation

Under the MoU, various DRE projects will be implemented in rural and peri-urban areas, covering power generation and distribution through interconnected mini-grids (IMGs) and isolated mini-grids, commercial and industrial rooftop solar PV installations, productive use of energy (PUE), and equipment sales and financing .

In addition, the partnership will explore innovative models such as virtual power plants (VPPs) and social services such as electromobility, agro-processing and cold storage, and clean cooking. REA and Husk will also work together to promote the mass adoption of energy-saving appliances and PUE devices through sales, distribution and credit financing.

Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of REA, stressed that the partnership is a significant step towards establishing a network of Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) that will deliver clean and reliable electricity across Nigeria.

On the other hand, Manoj Sinha, co-founder and CEO of Husk Power Systems highlighted the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in achieving widespread electrification. He noted that the collaboration will accelerate the deployment of Husk’s AI-enabled energy platform, benefiting millions of Nigerians and enhancing climate change adaptation and resilience.