By Mary Izuaka

 

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has launched the Zamfara State Electricity Policy.

Mr Tegbe also commissioned two solar plants with a combined capacity of 2.5 MW and laid the foundation for the connection of 36 solar mini-grids across nine local government areas.

The projects are expected to connect close to 147,000 homes and businesses on completion, the Ministry of Power said in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Tegbe, according to the statement, spoke in Gusau alongside Governor Dauda Lawal, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, development partners, and traditional and community leaders.

He said the initiatives put the Renewed Hope Agenda into practice by “turning reform and investment into better public services, cleaner transport and more dependable electricity for homes and businesses.”

Two solar plants commissioned

The statement said, the commissioned plants are a 1MW mini-grid/2.4MW battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, which will help doctors operate with greater confidence and preserve essential medicines.

The second is a 1.5MW / 3.6MW BESS for the Government House and its auxiliary facilities, which will eliminate dependence on diesel-based power generation.

Of the mini-grids, it said the interconnected projects in Gusau and Kaura Namoda will improve supply on the existing distribution network, while the other 34 will serve communities beyond the grid’s present reach.

It added that Zamtaxi, also unveiled at the event, opens opportunities for drivers, technicians and young entrepreneurs in cleaner transport.

Mr Tegbe credited President Bola Tinubu, whose assent to the Electricity Act 2023 created greater room for states and investors to participate in the sector, and pledged the ministry’s support “to translate this policy into effective institutions and improved service.”

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He urged host communities to protect the assets as their own and to report vandalism and theft promptly.

He also commended Governor Lawal for driving and sponsoring the two commissioned mini-grid projects amongst other solar-powered projects in the state, including solar power for 15 general hospitals, 800 schools and 70 Primary Health Care facilities.

The ministry said the Zamfara 36 mini-grid projects form part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda drive to bring electricity to all Nigerians.

“Alongside strengthening the national grid, the federal government is expanding solar power and other viable sources, bringing supply closer to demand and reaching communities previously without access.

“For Zamfara, that means a more resilient, more diverse electricity system, and dependable power for the homes, hospitals, farms and markets that depend on it,” the statement said.