BoI commissions 24Kw off-grid solar power in Kaduna

Bank of Industry (BoI) has commissioned a 24Kw micro-grid solar system in Charwa/Chakun, an off-grid community in Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The commissioning of the N32 million stand-alone solar electrification project developed by Arnergy Solar Limited was the last of the sixth pilot programme executed by the development finance institution in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Apart from Charwa/Chakun, other communities where the solar systems have been deployed include Bisanti in Katcha LGA of Niger State; Onibambu in Ife-North LGA of Osun State; Ogbekpen in Ikpoba Okha LGA of Edo State; Onono in Anambra West LGA of Anambra State, and Kaltungo LGA of Gombe State.

The six rural electrification projects, which is a combination of micro off-grid and stand-alone solar systems, cost BoI N240.6 million and the target is to provide electricity to thousands of rural dwellers that hitherto have no access to the national grid.

Under the stand-alone solar system model, users are required to purchase electricity vouchers through a wireless mobile technology from a local vendor employed by the project developer within the community, which will be used to recharge the pre-paid meters provided in each home.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Charwa/Chakun solar systems, Waheed Olagunju, acting managing director of the bank, said the project had strong catalytic effects on the lives of the people to the extent that demands for the deployment of solar solution had increased across the country.

Olagunju noted that, for instance, Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo had asked the bank to partner the state with a view to replicating the solar systems in other 10 local government areas.

According to Olagunju, the governor has given the nod for the commencement of the project in two villages of the state and would soon be commissioned.

Apart from that, he said other governors, private organisations, multinational corporations, religious bodies and communities leaders had also approached the bank for the execution of the solar project in their select communities.

In reference to the Charwa/Chakun project, the BoI boss explained that each home would have sufficient solar electricity to power three LED light bulbs, one electric fan, one radio/TV set and mobile phone charging system.

On the significance to the rural community, he said, “What we are implementing is a tested and commercially sound model for delivering power to the Nigerian rural homes at affordable rate. We want all our rural communities to take control of their energy needs by paying for only energy used.

“This is the sixth of the last pilot project that is being implemented in partnership with the UNDP. We have achieved our objective of ensuring that we sensitise Nigerians to alternative renewable energy sources that are more efficient, cleaner. Testimonies from the five communities where we have successfully commissioned off-grid solar solution are quite positive.

“Living standard has improved, quality of lives has been enhanced and commercial activities have equally picked up, especially micro, small and medium enterprises.”

Olagunju said the bank’s medium-term target was to have 100,000 homes installed with solar systems in the next five years through a combination of micro-grid and stand-alone solar home systems.

In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai said the project would strengthen the government’s initiative to providing the creation of the much-needed employment in the state.

According to El-Rufai, if the commissioned project provides electricity for 200 homes in Charwa/Chakun, its replication in other selected nine communities would bring the total number of homes having access to off-grid electricity to 2,000.

The governor, who was represented at the event by Abdulkareem Mayere, director-general, Kaduna Power Supplies Company, urged the people of the community to protect the facilities in their care for a sustainable use.

Also speaking, Africa Development Bank representative, Akinwunmi Emmanuel, noted that the electrification project would enhance the living standard of the people in the community.

The goal of the bank is to ‘light up Africa’ and will do everything possible to support every initiative aimed at reducing poverty among the rural dwellers, he said.