Germany Constructing Mini Grids For Rural Electrification

BEVERLY HILLS, March 21, (THEWILL) – The German Government, through its international agency, German Agency for International Co-operation (GIZ), is constructing mini grids for rural electrification in five states in Nigeria.

The construction of the mini grids in Ogun, Cross River, Sokoto, Rivers and Plateau states, according to Nigeria’s representatives of GIZ, is part of GIZ’s functions on provision of infrastructure in the world which would aid Nigerian energy system growth.

Speaking at a workshop tagged, “Public-Private Partnership Framework For Rural Electricity Mini Grid” held in Abeokuta, Olumide Fatoki, GIZ National Adviser for mini grid project, observed that the German Agency decided to offer aids in key energy areas such as data management system, access to sustainable energy and rural electrification planning having observed poor electricity supply challenges that face Nigerians.

Fatoki said the workshop will strengthen the existing collaboration between GIZ and state governments and ensure that the states gained the knowledge to improve rural electrification, saying “GIZ is currently carrying out energy efficiency and rural electrification in five states in Nigeria, namely, Rivers, Plateau, Cross River, Sokoto and Ogun.”

Responding, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State acknowledged that Nigeria was being faced with myriad of challenges which requires meaningful and effective collaboration adding that adopting the rural electrification scheme as one of templates needed for economic growth.

Represented by Yetunde Onanuga, Deputy Governor, he said that “insufficient energy distribution is one reason why many industrial establishments run their plants in an uneconomical skill, while under–utilising their installed capacity.”

Amosun added that the partnership with the private sector would help states stretch their resources over a wider horizon in bringing electricity to the nooks and crannies of the state, particularly in the rural communities.

He assured that the efforts of GIZ in the area of provision of electricity in rural areas would be improved upon to spread the campaign across the state in order to have power in every nook and cranny of the state.