The Federal Government of Nigeria commissioned a 1.6‑megawatt solar hybrid mini‑grid at the Federal University of Lafia in Nasarawa State on Thursday, a project that is expected to slash the university’s electricity expenditure by roughly N30 million each month.
The hybrid plant consists of an approximately 1.6 MWp photovoltaic solar park, a Power Conditioning System (PCS) and an Energy Storage System (ESS). Together these components provide power reliability, peak‑shaving capability and supply of critical loads after daylight hours, ensuring continuous electricity for the campus.
“My opinion is that we should build as many mini‑grids as possible. That is the future of Nigeria’s electrification. To reach those without access, we can focus on mini‑grids,”
Governor Abdullahi Sule said, thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the intervention that reduces the state’s financial burden. Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe pledged the federal government’s commitment to universal electricity access and linked the project to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Rural Electrification Agency Managing Director Abba Aliyu noted that 22 mini‑grid projects have already been completed in Nasarawa State, with another 37 slated for development, and highlighted support from the African Development Bank.
University Vice‑Chancellor Professor Mohammed Isa Kida reported that the campus has enjoyed uninterrupted power since the three‑month test run, benefiting more than 30,000 students and staff. He said the reliable supply will improve digital and technology services and strengthen practical training in renewable energy, including a new women‑in‑STEM programme. “The stable power supply has enabled me to study for longer periods,” said 300‑level student Raimat Abdullahi.
The commissioning forms part of the Rural Electrification Agency’s Energising Education Programme, which aims to address Nigeria’s chronic power shortages by delivering reliable electricity to tertiary institutions and, eventually, to broader communities through scalable mini‑grid solutions.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
