Germany begins construction of mini grids to electrify rural areas in five Nigerian states

Consciously observant of Nigerian challenges in terms of energy generation and distribution over the years, especially in the rural areas across the country, German Federal Government through its international agency – German Agency for International Co-operation (GIZ), has begun construction of mini grids meant for rural electrification in five Nigerian states.

The establishment of rural electrification scheme and energy efficiency in Ogun, Cross River, Sokoto, Rivers and Plateau states, according to Nigeria’s representatives of German Agency for International Co-operation (GIZ), the construction of mini grids as part of GIZ’s functions on provision of infrastructure in the world, would aid Nigerian energy system growth.

Speaking at a workshop tagged, “Public-Private Partnership Framework For Rural Electricity Mini Grid” held in Abeokuta last week, Olumide Fatoki, GIZ National Adviser for Mini Grid Project, noted that the German Agency, having observed poor electricity supply challenges that face Nigerians, decided to offer aids in key energy areas such data management system, access to sustainable energy and rural electrification planning.

Fatoki, who declared that the workshop was to strengthen the existing collaboration between GIZ and State governments with a view to ensuring that the State internalizes the knowledge gained to improve rural electrification, added: “GIZ is currently carrying out energy efficiency and rural electrification in five states in Nigeria, namely, Rivers, Plateau, Cross River, Sokoto and Ogun.”

Responding, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state stated that Nigeria is being faced with myriad of infrastructure challenges which require meaningful and effective collaboration, not just with international organizations like GIZ, but also with national players in private sectors, adopting the rural electrification scheme as one of templates needed for economic growth.

The governor, represented by Yetunde Onanuga, Deputy Governor, who oversees operations in the State Ministry of Rural Development, identified “insufficient energy distribution as one reasons why many industrial establishments run their plants in an uneconomical skill, while under–utilizing their installed capacity.”

Consequently, Governor Amosun stated that the partnership with the private sector would help states to stretch its little resources over a wider horizon, in bringing electricity to the nooks and crannies of the state, particularly in the rural communities, adding that the efforts of GIZ in the area of provision of electricity in rural areas would improved upon to spread the campaign across the state.

“This will not only help raise the standard of living of the people, it will equally create vast employment opportunities in the rural areas, as well as transform the rural economies in particular, and contribute significantly to achieving the State’s industrialisation agenda and ultimately contribute to the transformation of the State economy”, he concluded.