Zamfara Begins 37 Solar Mini Grid Projects
The Rural Electrification Agency has begun developing 37 solar mini grids across seven local government areas in Zamfara State. The projects are expected to provide 125,106 household connections and reach more than 625,000 people.
The planned systems include two interconnected mini grids and 35 stand-alone sites, with a combined generation capacity of about 18.8 megawatts peak. They will serve communities in Gummi, Gusau, Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Shinkafi, Tsafe and Zurmi.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Wednesday, alongside the launch of the Zamfara State Electricity Policy. The state government and the agency also signed an agreement to install solar power systems at public facilities, including hospitals and schools.
Governor Dauda Lawal said the policy aims to create a stable, investment-friendly electricity market. He noted that reliable power is essential for agriculture, industry, healthcare, education and job creation, adding that solarising public institutions would turn the policy into practical improvements to essential services.
Power Minister Joseph Tegbe said the projects reflect the Federal Government’s support for decentralised electricity and greater state involvement in the sector. He said the Electricity Act 2023 gives states an opportunity to develop their own markets and attract private investment.
Rural Electrification Agency Managing Director Abba Aliyu said the projects mark a move towards building an integrated energy market, rather than delivering stand-alone power assets. He said dependable electricity could help businesses grow, strengthen agricultural supply chains, create jobs and improve public services.
Aliyu added that infrastructure would only be sustainable if supported by clear policies, effective regulation and commercially viable arrangements. The public facility solarisation programme, he said, could also reduce the cost of unreliable power for hospitals and schools while encouraging further investment.
The projects are linked to the World Bank supported Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale Up programme, which aims to expand electricity access to about 17.5 million Nigerians through mini grids and other renewable energy solutions.
At the event, Tegbe also commissioned two state developed solar projects: a one megawatt system at Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital and a 1.2 megawatt installation serving Government House. Together, they provide 2.2 megawatts of generation capacity and more than three megawatts of battery storage.
The programme also included the unveiling of 100 ZamTaxi electric vehicles, 10 electric tricycles for maternal healthcare transport and two compressed natural gas buses donated by the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas.
Zamfara’s electricity policy is expected to guide coordination, private participation and the development of financially sustainable power infrastructure as states make use of the opportunities created by the Electricity Act 2023.
