Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu in commending Rural Electrification Agency (REA) stated that, “Collaborations such as these will help bridge the gap between the served and the unserved. It is the belief of the Federal Ministry of Power that these projects will be delivered on time and with the best standard for our people.”
REA commissioned an advanced energy management system control center capable of hosting all mini grids in the country, at its corporate headquarters in Abuja, and also conducted the groundbreaking of 900kWp solar mini grid at Rubochi Community, Kuje Area Council, as well as a 100kWp at Ikwa Ward, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja in Phase I of the Korean Energy Project.
This significant milestone is a testament of the Agency’s efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation with foreign development partners such as the Korean Institute for Advancement of Technology and its Korean implementing consortium partners (Iljin Electric, S&D Powernics, Korea Smart Grid Association and Technology University of Korea) under the Korean Energy Project.
This reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment towards increasing energy access to unserved and underserved areas across the country.
The Korean Energy Project seeks to establish an integrated energy management system capable of hosting all mini grids in the country and four (4) standalone mini grids (total capacities 1.6 MWp & 3.0 MWh) in 4 (four) unelectrified areas around the Federal Capital Territories, FCT, as well as capacity building to technical skills.
Other auxiliary productive use equipment including smart metering, energy efficient lighting, water systems etc.) as part of the intervention. All the aforementioned are being achieved through an In-Kind-Grant.
The Managing Director/CEO of REA, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, said: “The milestone achieved under the Korean Energy Project is a testament of our resolve towards collaboration with development partners in delivering our mandate. The REA is always thrilled with the deployment of sustainable electricity in our communities.
“The MoU for this project was signed last year and we are glad the project has reached the point commissioning this state-of-the-art Energy Management System Control Center and subsequent groundbreaking of the 900kWp interconnected solar mini grid at Rubochi community as well as 100kWp at Ikwa. We look forward to the completion of the two in Quarter 1, 2024 and the remaining before the year ends.”
The Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Kim Young-Chae stated “The Republic of South Korea has made a commitment through the Official Development Assistance fund to support the Nigerian Power Sector particularly on the development of Solar Mini-grids.
“This is because we understand the role of solar power generation on energy access and climate resilience. Rural electrification requires unique granular data which is why the Government of Korea is also undertaking the Integrated Energy Management System to enable efficient planning and design concepts.
“The EMS can host all mini-grids data hence will strengthen the position of REA in the central coordination role. The Korean Government is also seeking to strengthen and promote its cooperation with the Nigerian Government for the prosperity of both nations.”
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