Yobe Launches Five Hybrid Solar Mini-Grids Under DARES Programme

The Federal Government has launched the construction of five interconnected hybrid solar mini-grids in Yobe State as part of efforts to expand electricity access and attract private investment in rural communities.

The projects, implemented by Startimes Solar under the World Bank-supported Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) Programme, will be located in Damaturu, Gashua, Nguru, Yarimaram Potiskum and Rugan Fulani Potiskum.

Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, said the groundbreaking marked the fulfilment of discussions held more than a year ago with Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni on positioning the state as an attractive destination for private investment in rural electrification.

“Some conversations take months before you see the results and the good ones are worth the wait,” Aliyu said.

He recalled that the discussions focused on creating an enabling environment to accelerate private sector participation in rural electrification.

“Today, that conversation has become action,” he said.

According to Aliyu, the interconnected hybrid solar mini-grids will strengthen electricity supply, improve grid reliability and expand access to reliable power for thousands of households and businesses across the state.

He described the projects as a demonstration of how collaboration between government, development partners, the private sector and host communities can deliver critical infrastructure.

“Government creates the enabling environment, development partners provide catalytic support, the private sector brings investment and execution, and communities receive reliable electricity,” he said.

Aliyu noted that Yobe joins Kogi, Kebbi, Adamawa, Rivers and Plateau states where groundbreaking activities have recently commenced under the DARES Programme.

He said the projects reflect the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda by extending reliable electricity to underserved communities across the country.

“Whether a community is in the heart of a city or hundreds of kilometres from it, our mandate remains the same: to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind in our journey towards universal electricity access,” he added.