By Sebastine Obasi

The quest for greater energy access by the populace appears to be gaining traction as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), in collaboration with the Government of Benue State, convened the 24th high-level State-by-State Roundtable, a strategic initiative aimed at deepening the practical implementation of the Electricity Act 2023.

In its presentation, the REA laid out the possible multi-sectoral impact of renewable energy investments in the State, including impact on education, healthcare delivery, security and local economies. Reviewing the pathways for establishing a functional state electricity market framework, the executive team of the REA as well as critical commissioners and heads of agencies in Benue State explored opportunities under the ongoing Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, the National Public Sector Solarization Initiative (NPSSI), the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) and other strategic programmes of the REA.

While debriefing the Governor of Benue State, Hyancinth Alia, the MD/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Dr. Abba Aliyu provided an x-ray of the State’s Electricity Market with the identification of over 1,207,272 residents that can be potentially powered through solar mini-grids. The agency, through its data-driven approach, also identified 3,821 potential mini-grid sites in the State, while an estimated 651 communities have more than 100 connections for private sector mini-grid developers. These areas include Odejo, Mbadede and Gwer, all economically viable areas in Benue State. Other locations include Tarka, Otukpo, Obi, Markurdi, Gboko, to mention just a few. The potential mini-grid sites, the MD explained, are attractive and high impact investment sites.

Central to the discussions at the Roundtable, the agency provided a spotlight of existing renewable energy projects in the State, including functional mini-grid infrastructure, grid extension projects, solar-powered irrigation pumps, solar streetlights and solar home systems. Dr. Abba, however, emphasized the need to accelerate and scale-up additional renewable energy projects in the State, leveraging the agency’s data and leaning on the State’s commitment to create a business-friendly electricity market for RESCOs.

In his remarks, Governor Alia explained that Benue State, like much of Nigeria, has battled with poor energy access over the years. He explained that “the 2023 Electricity Act enacted by the FG presents a historic opportunity for energy independence and my administration is fully committed to leveraging this framework to reverse years of energy gap, expand access and attract private sector participation”. The Governor also explained that his administration, upon resumption, has taken “deliberate steps to develop pathways for the State electricity market” as “investor confidence depends on clarity, predictability and efficient project coordination”. While commending the REA, the Governor expressed his amazement at the “volume of energy access statistics the REA has in its possession”. He assured the RESCOs of the State’s readiness to welcome investors and developers.

With the success of the REA–Benue State Roundtable, the REA marks another milestone in Nigeria’s evolving electricity landscape, demonstrating how federal reforms can be effectively localized as States governments step into their new roles under the Electricity Act 2023. The agency has, therefore, continued to mainstream the need for a favourable investment climate, innovative renewable energy solutions, wider private sector participation, sustainability systems and the development of skill pipeline to manage the infrastructure growth across States.