NEWS: NDA Kaduna Gets 2.5MW Solar Hybrid Power Project ..... As Power Minister Describes Initiative as Strategic Investment In Education and National Defence.
"The commissioning is a turning point in Nigeria’s journey towards energy access for learning institutions". Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director/CEO of the REA
Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who officially inaugurated the project, described the initiative as a strategic investment in key two sectors of the country; education and national defence.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Adelabu emphasized government’s commitment to providing sustainable and reliable energy to critical national institutions.
“This project, implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Ministry of Power, is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to diversify energy sources and expand access to clean and reliable electricity to support critical sectors such as education, health, and security,” he said.
The Managing Director/CEO of the REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the commissioning as a turning point in Nigeria’s journey towards energy access for learning institutions. He emphasized that the project represents more than just energy infrastructure, highlighting its impact on social development, research, and sustainability.
“EEP Phase II is not just an energy project; it is a national mission. We are delivering clean energy to power academic excellence, national security, and innovation,” Aliyu stated.
Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), urged the NDA management to take ownership of the project to ensure its long-term sustainability.
“For us at REA-NEP, sustainability is key. That’s why this project was designed with a long-term view, from the technology deployed to the capacity-building elements. We want to ensure that five, ten years from now, this plant is still running efficiently, powering this great institution and supporting the security architecture of our nation,” he said.
The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General AK Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the REA, describing the solar hybrid plant as a critical addition to the academy’s infrastructure.
“This solar hybrid plant is a critical addition to our infrastructure. It allows us to train and operate without power disruptions, ensuring we maintain the standards of excellence and discipline expected of Nigeria’s military leadership institution,” he remarked.
According to the REA, the transformative energy intervention reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education sector, enhancing national security infrastructure, and promoting sustainability and inclusive development.
“Implemented by the REA with funding support from the World Bank, the EEP II project at NDA marks a pivotal step in the government’s agenda to deliver reliable and sustainable electricity access to federal universities and affiliated teaching hospitals across the country,” the agency said.
The newly commissioned power project is expected to provide uninterrupted electricity to academic buildings, staff residences, barracks, and critical facilities within the Academy, directly impacting over 12,368 people, including cadets, faculty, and administrative personnel.
The project integrates solar photovoltaic technology with battery storage and diesel backup systems to ensure a seamless energy supply. It aligns with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan and international climate commitments, significantly reducing diesel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions.
Creation of 403 jobs during the construction and installation phase
Training of 20 female STEM cadets in solar installation and renewable energy technologies
Installation of 7 transformers to support power distribution across the Academy
Deployment of 288 solar-powered streetlights covering 9 kilometers of internal roadways, enhancing security and mobility
The REA noted that the successful implementation of the NDA project was made possible through strong collaboration between the Federal Government, Rural Electrification Agency, Nigerian Defence Academy, the World Bank, project developers, and technical stakeholders.
In an interview with journalists after the commissioning, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, stated that achieving functional, reliable, and stable electricity in Nigeria would require no less than $10 billion annually for the next 10 to 20 years.
“There are foundational bottlenecks from the past that need to be fixed for this investment to have real impact. One major step has been the signing of the Energy Bill into law, which has liberalized and decentralized the power sector, enabling all levels of government—federal, state, and local—to legally and morally participate in power generation, transmission, and distribution,” he said.
Adelabu noted that the new policy framework has granted autonomy to over eleven states, with more expected to follow, empowering them to participate fully in the energy sector, including metering.
The Minister further highlighted the need to bridge the 50 percent metering gap in the country, revealing that the Presidential Initiative aims to install 18 million meters over the next five years.
“This initiative will tackle infrastructure deficits that have piled up over the last 60 years due to lack of maintenance and investment. Our mission is to revive our transmission grid and build a sustainable power sector,” he concluded.
Nigeria's Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, as part of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) Phase II, commissioned a 2.5MW Solar Hybrid Power Project at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna Northwest Nigeria.
Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who officially inaugurated the project, described the initiative as a strategic investment in key two sectors of the country; education and national defence.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Adelabu emphasized government’s commitment to providing sustainable and reliable energy to critical national institutions.
“This project, implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Ministry of Power, is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to diversify energy sources and expand access to clean and reliable electricity to support critical sectors such as education, health, and security,” he said.
The Managing Director/CEO of the REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the commissioning as a turning point in Nigeria’s journey towards energy access for learning institutions. He emphasized that the project represents more than just energy infrastructure, highlighting its impact on social development, research, and sustainability.
“EEP Phase II is not just an energy project; it is a national mission. We are delivering clean energy to power academic excellence, national security, and innovation,” Aliyu stated.
Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), urged the NDA management to take ownership of the project to ensure its long-term sustainability.
“For us at REA-NEP, sustainability is key. That’s why this project was designed with a long-term view, from the technology deployed to the capacity-building elements. We want to ensure that five, ten years from now, this plant is still running efficiently, powering this great institution and supporting the security architecture of our nation,” he said.
The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General AK Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the REA, describing the solar hybrid plant as a critical addition to the academy’s infrastructure.
“This solar hybrid plant is a critical addition to our infrastructure. It allows us to train and operate without power disruptions, ensuring we maintain the standards of excellence and discipline expected of Nigeria’s military leadership institution,” he remarked.
According to the REA, the transformative energy intervention reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education sector, enhancing national security infrastructure, and promoting sustainability and inclusive development.
“Implemented by the REA with funding support from the World Bank, the EEP II project at NDA marks a pivotal step in the government’s agenda to deliver reliable and sustainable electricity access to federal universities and affiliated teaching hospitals across the country,” the agency said.
The newly commissioned power project is expected to provide uninterrupted electricity to academic buildings, staff residences, barracks, and critical facilities within the Academy, directly impacting over 12,368 people, including cadets, faculty, and administrative personnel.
The project integrates solar photovoltaic technology with battery storage and diesel backup systems to ensure a seamless energy supply. It aligns with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan and international climate commitments, significantly reducing diesel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions.
Creation of 403 jobs during the construction and installation phase
Training of 20 female STEM cadets in solar installation and renewable energy technologies
Installation of 7 transformers to support power distribution across the Academy
Deployment of 288 solar-powered streetlights covering 9 kilometers of internal roadways, enhancing security and mobility
The REA noted that the successful implementation of the NDA project was made possible through strong collaboration between the Federal Government, Rural Electrification Agency, Nigerian Defence Academy, the World Bank, project developers, and technical stakeholders.
In an interview with journalists after the commissioning, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, stated that achieving functional, reliable, and stable electricity in Nigeria would require no less than $10 billion annually for the next 10 to 20 years.
“There are foundational bottlenecks from the past that need to be fixed for this investment to have real impact. One major step has been the signing of the Energy Bill into law, which has liberalized and decentralized the power sector, enabling all levels of government—federal, state, and local—to legally and morally participate in power generation, transmission, and distribution,” he said.
Adelabu noted that the new policy framework has granted autonomy to over eleven states, with more expected to follow, empowering them to participate fully in the energy sector, including metering.
The Minister further highlighted the need to bridge the 50 percent metering gap in the country, revealing that the Presidential Initiative aims to install 18 million meters over the next five years.
“This initiative will tackle infrastructure deficits that have piled up over the last 60 years due to lack of maintenance and investment. Our mission is to revive our transmission grid and build a sustainable power sector,” he concluded.
No comments:
Drop Comment