FG, Schneider Electric Light Up 1000 Rural Homes in Abuja

Lagos (Nigeria) - January 16, 2014 – The Federal Ministry of Power and Schneider Electric have partnered to provide solar power electricity to over 1000 households in Durumi, a suburb of Mpape in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The collaboration is part of the 'Light Up Nigeria' initiative of the Federal Government aimed at ensuring that electricity is made available to Nigerians living in rural areas.

Speaking while commissioning the project, President Goodluck Jonathan said the 'Light Up Nigeria' programme was initiated as part of the power reform programme to promote access to electricity. According President Jonathan 'This initiative is one of the several interventions we have made to address the challenge of access to electricity in the rural areas where grid power supply may not be economical. He stated that the programme will promote the use of renewable energy to enhance access to electricity and to achieve a balanced energy mix as well as tackle the challenge of climate change.

The President also commended Schneider Electric for its partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power and added that the launch in Durumi would kick start the 'Light Up Nigeria' programme across the 36 states of Nigeria with each state having at least three benefiting communities.

The Country President of Schneider Electric Nigeria, Mr. Marcel Hochet, said the company is happy to work with the Federal Ministry of Power to deploy the solar energy solution, Villasol, in Durumi. According to him, the collaboration is proof of the confidence the government has in Schneider Electric.

Commenting further on the solution, Mr. Marcel Hochet said Villasol is part of the company's innovative approach towards addressing the huge energy deficit of Nigerians and other people in less developed countries of the world. According to him, 'Schneider Electric is tackling rural energy deficit with the power of the sun. Villasol brings with it, the hope and possibility that rural communities can now have access to electricity without depending on grid electricity. The solution will help drive improvement in the living conditions of rural dwellers in Nigeria who do not have access to electricity'.

In his remark during the event, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo said the Federal Government instituted the 'Light Up Nigeria' in order to utilize the abundant solar energy to power communities across Nigeria. Prof Nebo said the Federal Ministry of Power will extend the project to specified 144 locations across the six geo political zones in 2014.

Prof. Nebo stated that the renewable energy project has already transformed the landscape of Durumi. He said that about 1,005 homes enumerated for the project now enjoy electricity through the Villasol solution. Critical infrastructure such as the primary health centre and the community school have been connected to the Villasol power.

The Minister of Power advised the community to handle the equipment with the required care and respect the terms of usage. He reassured them of the government's commitment to improving their living condition.

The solar power solution, Villasol produces up to 4KW of electricity per unit to support community services such as schools, health centres, water supply and collective lighting. It consists of a Schneider Electric Villasol panel, photovoltaic panels, a battery bank and battery charging stations that enable communal recharge system.

For entrepreneurial activities, Villasol can provide electricity for light industrial activities in the rural areas which includes mills, handcraft, soldering, irrigation, mobile phone recharge as well as for domestic appliances like radio and television.