The rural energy leader Husk Power Systems has recently launched six solar hybrid mini-grids in several communities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
The newly launched mini-grids in Nasarawa State will provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to about 5,000 households and 500 businesses in Doma and Lafia Local Government Areas (LGAs). stated the company statement.
Abdullahi A. Sule, the Governor of Nasarawa State said, “The completion of six mini-grids by Husk Power Systems in Nasarawa State is an important step in scaling rural electrification and achieving energy access for all Nigerians.”
This is the first time that a solar company has deployed multiple solar mini-grids at one time under the Nigerian Electrification Project (NEP), a nationwide initiative funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), implemented by Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
Last September, Husk Power received financial support from Nigeria’s REA to electrify seven communities in Nasarawa State with solar hybrid mini-grids, as a part of NEP’s performance-based grants.
The seventh mini-grid in Sabon Gida, Lafia LGA will come online in 2022, along with a larger pipeline of projects. The mini-grids will not only provide electricity to the local Doma and Lafia households and businesses but also support local agricultural activities.
“Nigeria’s leadership in rural electrification and making mini-grids a centerpiece of the national energy strategy is a global best practice,” said Manoj Sinha, Founder & CEO of Husk.
The company is proud to contribute to the Nigerian government’s vision of public-private partnership to provide clean and affordable electricity that powers economic opportunity for the country’s small businesses and households, he added.
The new installations add to Husk’s portfolio, which has already electrified 350 villages in Africa and Asia. These installations enable the socio-economic development of local people, creating new jobs. Husk Power has established its presence in Nigeria in early 2020 and plans to install more than 100 solar hybrid mini-grids in several other Nigerian states within the next two years, contributing to its ambition to roll out 500 systems by 2026.
Besides the mini-grid business, Husk’s local entity Husk Power Systems Nigeria Limited also installs turnkey rooftop solar for off-grid and weak-grid commercial and industrial customers as well as provides energy-efficient appliances and equipment for both households and businesses.
