Covid-19: REA supports FCT, Lagos, Ogun states with 4 solar hybrid mini-grid plants
Idealposts
As a measure to mitigate against COVID-19 pandemic, the Rural Electrification Agency, REA has handed over four completed solar hybrid mini-grid plants in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states.
REA said the projects which was handed over to authorities at the health centres included a 53.1KWp solar hybrid mini-grid installed at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Covid-19 Isolation Centre; and a 25KWp solar hybrid mini-grid at Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s Public Health Laboratory in Lagos.
According to a statement, others are a 20KWp solar hybrid mini-grid at 128 Bed Ikenne Isolation Centre, and a 10KWp solar hybrid mini-grid at 100 Bed Iberekodo Isolation Centre in Ogun State.
The agency said the initiative was being implemented to complement the efforts of the federal and state governments as well as the private sector in containing the spread of the virus in the country.
REA noted that it recently outlined measures towards containing the virus by providing emergency electrification of COVID-19 health centres across the country.
It said other measures included collaboration with development partners on accelerating disbursement to qualifying developers and engaging the Central Bank of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Power towards inclusion of energy companies under the COVID-19 intervention programme of the bank.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, REA, Mr Ahmad Salihijo, at the handover of the projects, reiterated REA’s support in containing COVID-19 and commitment towards electrification of the unserved and underserved areas across the country.
“Implementing these projects will provide clean, safe and reliable electricity to enable our health workers to thrive towards the fight against this COVID-19 disease,” he said.
According to him, REA is the implementing agency of the Federal Government under the Federal Ministry of Power tasked with the electrification of the unserved and underserved communities to catalyze economic growth and improve quality of life for Nigerians.
“REA is currently implementing the Nigeria Electrification Project, Energising Economies Initiative, Energising Education Programme, Rural Electrification Fund, Energy Database and capital projects.
“The agency is responsible for creating an enabling environment for private sector-led projects which include conducting prefeasibility assessments, energy audits, enumeration, data analysis, identification of qualified private-sector developers, and project stakeholder engagements.” it said.
