The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has successfully completed and commissioned a 100 kWp solar mini-grid in Damau, a rural community in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State, marking another milestone in the Agency’s mandate to expand sustainable energy access and improve socio-economic growth in underserved and underserved communities across Nigeria. The Damau mini-grid, delivered through the Federal Government’s Capital budget, is one of several renewable energy infrastructure projects being deployed by the REA. Through the Agency’s 2024 Capital Projects, currently being rounded up, 39 new mini-grids are being added to the nation’s clean energy assets.
For the over 2,500 residents of Damau community, the impact is already tangible. In line with the REA’s impact-focused strategy, the 100kWp facility is already powering households, small businesses, and public infrastructure, while also driving a critical social outcome: the electrification of a solar submersible borehole, complete with sufficient storage, now supplying clean and potable water to the men, women and children of the community. The community borehole, powered by the mini-grid and designed as part of the Agency’s intervention, has significantly reduced the burden of water scarcity, particularly for women and children who traditionally travel long distances in search of water. With reliable power, water is now available consistently, safely, and sustainably.
In recent times, the REA has strengthened the deployment strategy under the Federal Government’s Capital Projects, exploiting more renewable energy solutions and productive use anchor-loads, to improve socioeconomic impact and sustainable growth, beyond the traditional grid extension projects usually deployed through the Capital subvention. This has enabled the Agency to optimize its Federal budget to deliver economically viable and sustainable energy infrastructure.
The project was officially flagged off by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Sen. Uba Sani, who commended the REA for its unwavering commitment towards the deployment of clean energy infrastructure nationwide in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national mandate.
Speaking on the intervention at the official commissioning of the project, the MD/CEO of REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu noted that “the Damau project reflects the Agency’s evolving approach to rural electrification, one that deliberately integrates energy access with social infrastructure and community needs, rather than deploying power in isolation”. Dr. Abba explained that “the ongoing energy access scale-up effort of the Federal Government is a clear example of how decentralized renewable energy can transform rural communities”. While emphasizing the central role State Governments must continue to play in nation’s renewable energy scale-up phase in Nigeria, he commended His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani for his sustained support to the Agency as it continues to design projects that respond directly to the priorities of the people.
The Executive Director, Technical Services at the REA, Engr. Umar Abdullahi Umar, FNSE hinted on the recent unveiling of the REA’s harmonized technical standards and specifications which serves as a guide for the sustainable deployment of off-grid energy infrastructure, nationwide. He explained that with the Agency’s alignment with the best technical standards, “the Damau mini-grid reflects our technical commitment to delivering reliable, fit-for-purpose renewable energy infrastructure that responds directly to community needs. By integrating electricity with essential services like water supply, we are ensuring that power access translates into real social impact, sustainability, and a clear pathway for future expansion.”
In line with the REA’s close-knit engagement with diverse stakeholders, the Damau project was delivered through close engagement with community leaders and political representatives, reinforcing REA’s commitment to inclusive planning, local ownership, and stakeholder collaboration. This approach not only ensures smoother project delivery, but also strengthens sustainability, accountability, and community buy-in, all critical factors for the long-term success of rural energy infrastructure.
The Damau mini-grid presents a strong case for future expansion. Early demand signals from households, commercial users, and productive enterprises indicate growing energy needs, positioning the community as a viable candidate for scale-up, beyond 100kWp. The REA has acknowledged this potential and continues to assess pathways for expanding capacity in line with demand growth, sustainability considerations, and available funding windows.
About the Rural Electrification Agency (REA)
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is the Implementing Agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under the Federal Ministry of Power tasked with the electrification of unserved and underserved communities to catalyze economic growth and improve quality of life for Nigerians. The Agency was established under section 127 of the Electricity Act 2023.
The REA is currently implementing the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Capital Projects, Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES), National Public Sector Solarization Initiative (NPSSI), Solar Power Naija (SPN), Energizing Education Programme (EEP), Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI), Energizing Agriculture Programme (EAP), Energy for All – Mass Rural Electrification, Research and Innovation Hub. Africa Mini Grids Programme (AMP), Derisking Sustainable Off-Grid Lighting Solutions (DSOLS), the Korean Energy Project, Healthcare, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development And Transportation (e-HEART) and the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP).
The Agency is responsible for creating an enabling environment for private sector-led projects, which includes conducting feasibility assessments, energy audits, enumeration, data analysis, identification of qualified private sector developers, and project stakeholder engagements.
For enquiries, please contact the Rural Electrification Agency:
Rural Electrification Agency (REA)
Email: info@rea.gov.ng
Phone: +234-800-REA
Website: www.rea.gov.ng
