The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has commenced the construction of a 1.5 megawatt interconnected mini grid project in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The groundbreaking ceremony comes shortly after the commissioning of a 50 kilowatt Access to Markets and Agriculture Programme solar mini grid in Namu Community, Plateau State, and similar groundbreaking ceremonies for major mini grid projects in Kogi, Kebbi, Adamawa and Rivers states.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr Abba Aliyu, said the Pankshin project forms part of a broader national rollout of 48 interconnected mini grids across the country.
According to a statement by the Rural Electrification Agency, the project is designed to improve electricity quality, reduce technical losses and provide reliable power to support agro processing, healthcare services, commercial activities and other economic ventures.
Aliyu commended the Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, for creating an enabling environment for private sector investment in the power sector.
He disclosed that 10 additional mini grid projects under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale Up Programme are currently under construction in Langtang South, Qua’an Pan, Shendam, Mikang, Wase, Kanke, Kanam, Mangu and other local government areas across the state.
The REA boss said interconnected mini grids would complement existing electricity distribution infrastructure by reducing network constraints, improving power quality, lowering technical losses and providing additional electricity capacity where it is most needed.
He added that the projects would create new opportunities for economic growth by ensuring that electricity serves as a catalyst for production, job creation and enterprise development rather than merely supporting consumption.
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