The federal government has announced the commencement of five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts in Oyo State to improve electricity access across five local government areas.
In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Power said its minister, Joseph Tegbe, made the announcement during the groundbreaking ceremony for the projects, which are designed to improve electricity access in communities across Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas of the state.
The projects, according to the statement, comprise the Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-elega interconnected mini-grids, supported by a 17.74-megawatt battery energy storage system.
Mr Tegbe said the initiative would improve power supply to homes and businesses, reduce dependence on generators, extend productive hours and create a more favourable environment for investment and job creation.
He said the projects are part of the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand electricity access nationwide.
According to him, similar interventions supported by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have been implemented in communities across Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa and Kaduna states.
The minister commended the REA, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the project developer, the World Bank for providing the financing, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company for their roles in the project.
He also lauded the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders and host communities for their cooperation, and paid tribute to the Olubadan of Ibadanland for his support towards the realisation of the projects.
No plan to increase electricity tariffs
Speaking on electricity tariffs, Mr Tegbe dismissed reports of a planned hike, describing them as misinformation.
He said the federal government has no plan to increase electricity tariffs, noting that the priority of the administration is to achieve 24-hour electricity supply.
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He said the plan would begin with three proposed energy zones — the Lagos-Ogun corridor, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, and the Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
Mr Tegbe further disclosed that the government plans to strengthen the national grid across the eastern and western corridors, including strategic generation and transmission locations such as Funtua, Kainji, Gwagwalada, Gombe, Makurdi, Ajaokuta, Ikot Ekpene, Benin and Egbin.
He said the objective is to extend improved stability and reliability beyond the initial energy zones and make round-the-clock electricity supply a national reality.
The minister, who performed the groundbreaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, expressed hope that the successful completion of the projects would strengthen livelihoods and expand economic opportunities for residents of the beneficiary communities.
