Rural Electrification Agency deploys over 100 mini-grids across Nigeria for inclusive development
The Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria, under the direction of the Federal Ministry of Power, is expected to be a major player at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on December 5, 2023.
A multi-format Side Event with the theme “Renewable Energy for Inclusive Development: Optimizing Innovation for Social Impact and Economic Growth in Nigeria (https://apo-opa.co/3N79acl)” will be held on December 5, 2023, at 9 AM at the Nigeria Pavilion by the REA, a pioneer in promoting sustainable energy access and climate change interventions in Nigeria.
On December 5, at 4 PM, the REA will host a second side event titled “Funding the Energy Access Gap in Last-Mile Communities in Nigeria” (https://apo-opa.co/3N79acl). This event will be held in collaboration with InfraCredit, a reputable organization that helps Nigerians access long-term local currency infrastructure financing. A highly specialized audience of bankers, investors, and developers of renewable energy in the worldwide off-grid market is the focus of this second side event. The Nigeria Pavilion, Blue Zone, COP28, Expo City Dubai is the venue for both activities.
On December 5, at 4 PM, the REA will host a second side event titled “Funding the Energy Access Gap in Last-Mile Communities in Nigeria” (https://apo-opa.co/3N79acl). This event will be held in collaboration with InfraCredit, a reputable organization that helps Nigerians access long-term local currency infrastructure financing. A highly specialized audience of bankers, investors, and developers of renewable energy in the worldwide off-grid market is the focus of this second side event. The Nigeria Pavilion, Blue Zone, COP28, Expo City Dubai is the venue for both activities.
The REA’s side event, which is slated to take center stage in the COP28 agenda, is to highlight the country’s data-driven energy transition journey, the agency’s suite of renewable energy initiatives, and their effects on the major economic sectors.
The agency will highlight its mitigation and adaptation interventions through the use of sustainable energy solutions as it addresses the dual challenges of energy poverty, climate change, and sustainable growth in Nigeria. The agency places a strong emphasis on optimizing innovation for both social impact, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
The Federal Ministry of Power oversees the REA, an Implementing Agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, which is principally responsible for electrifying rural and underserved populations. The Agency continues to collaborate with frontline stakeholders worldwide to create cutting-edge solutions that power last-mile communities, healthcare facilities, postsecondary institutions, market clusters, and agricultural value chains through data-driven and human-centered interventions.
The Agency has installed over 1.6 million solar household systems and over 100 solar hybrid mini-grids in just 4 short years, spurring revolutionary growth in Nigeria’s last-mile villages, unlocking $9.2 billion in annual economic potential, and reducing the $14 billion self-generation cost in 10 years.
“The agency’s presence at COP28 is a testament to our dedication to delivering sustainable and equitable energy access interventions,” said REA’s MD/CEO, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad. We think that renewable energy is a catalyst for revolutionary change that affects every facet of society and the economy, not merely a source of electricity.”
Global stakeholders, including decision-makers, funders, development finance organizations, project developers, representatives of civil society organizations, and the media, will be treated to lively and educational discussions on the following important theme areas at the REA side event:
Innovation for Social Impact: Exposing innovative programs and technological advancements that are delivering renewable energy solutions to neglected and isolated Nigerian communities, improving lives and promoting social justice.
Economic Growth through Renewable Energy: Presenting Productive Use of Energy (PUE) ideas and success stories that demonstrate how renewable energy is boosting resilience to climate change, generating jobs, and advancing economic growth.
Leaving no one behind in the quest for universal energy access, inclusive development strategies address the laws and procedures that guarantee inclusivity in the application of renewable energy solutions.
Sustainability: Exchanging knowledge on locally developed and data-driven sustainability procedures that support project ownership and are aimed at optimizing clean energy interventions in Nigeria.
The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has reaffirmed its dedication to expanding access to sustainable and clean energy in Nigeria. It has the necessary institutional frameworks and technical capacity, and it is ready to form strategic alliances with other organizations as it presents investment prospects in the country’s renewable energy sector.
