The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has called on private developers to apply for the $5750m Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project.

The Managing Director of REA, Abubakar Aliyu, said the project, which seeks to utilise renewable solar energy to electrify rural areas, is ready for private-off-takers to electrify millions of homes and create economic opportunities for them.

Aliyu was speaking at the Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop (SEW2024) in Abuja, saying the present decentralisation of the power sector is an opportunity for all stakeholders to invest in the sector to help reduce the energy poverty in the country.

“The entire electricity value chain has been liberalised and the subnational and the private sectors have been given the opportunity to play a key role in providing electrification in this country. Mr. President approved the request of the honourable minister of power by approving the $750 million DARES funding, which I am happy to stand here to tell you that the programme has been launched yesterday.”

“The private sector, the waiting has ended, this is a reality. The private sector should utilise this opportunity, go to these communities, start deploying this infrastructure and come back to REA and benefit from capital grant and subsidy based on the predetermined framework that was approved.”

He added that the year has seen the conclusion of the Nigerian Electrification Project, a model project that had deployed over 160 mini-grids across the country; deployed over 1.5 million solar home systems and deployment of high-level mini-grids in seven universities and one teaching hospital.

He added that the agency would start deploying and commissioning projects next year while it is in the process of conceiving, designing and starting the implementation of another project called the Desert to Power Project to be funded by the African Development Bank, a $700m project.

On his part, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the provision of standalone solar home systems, mini-grids deployed in unserved and underserved communities; solar-powered water pumps for irrigation and solar streetlights technologies are redefining the concept of energy access and productive use.

The Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund of REA, Hon. Doris Uboh, also announced the launch of the e-H.E.A.R.T Project, which seeks to promote access to electricity in the rural communities by providing reliable and sustainable electricity to PHCs across all geopolitical zones, enhancing service delivery by powering critical equipment and ICT solutions. (Daily Trust)