By Gabriel Ewepu

The Federal Government and Paras Energy have flagged off five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts (MW) in Ibadan, Oyo State, in a move aimed at improving electricity supply to communities across five local government areas.

The projects, which will serve communities in Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas, will deploy solar photovoltaic (PV) generation systems supported by battery energy storage and interconnected with the existing distribution infrastructure of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Managing Director of Paras Energy, Mr. Yashwant Kumar, assured that the company’s partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power and other stakeholders in the electricity sector would deliver improved, reliable and sustainable electricity supply to the beneficiary communities.

Kumar said the ceremony marked the commencement of an important phase towards strengthening energy access, supporting local businesses and promoting renewable energy adoption.

He said: “The project aims to improve electricity supply reliability, strengthen energy access, support local businesses, and promote the adoption of sustainable renewable energy solutions within the beneficiary communities.

“The project when completed will improve electricity availability and reliability for households and businesses,support commercial activities, small and medium-sized enterprises,promote clean energy adoption and environmental sustainability,create opportunities for local employment and economic development and also complement IBEDC’s efforts to improve electricity service delivery within the beneficiary communities.

“This partnership demonstrates the potential for collaboration between electricity distribution companies and renewable energy developers to improve power supply reliability and expand electricity access.”

Kumar noted that power generation would deliver greater benefits when investors collaborated with distribution companies to ensure effective delivery of electricity to end-users.

He said consistent power supply would unlock the economic potential of the beneficiary communities, boost commercial activities and improve livelihoods.

The Paras Energy managing director commended the Oyo State Government, Federal Ministry of Power, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), World Bank and IBEDC for their commitment to the project.

In his remarks, Minister of Power, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, disclosed that another mini-grid project was underway to increase electricity supply to communities around the University of Ibadan, University College Hospital and The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

Tegbe said the Federal Government’s priority extended beyond expanding electricity infrastructure to ensuring that additional generation capacity supported businesses, productive enterprises, industries and households.

“Our objective is clear: to increase the quantum of electricity available to Nigerians, improve the reliability of supply and ensure that electricity becomes an enabler of productivity, investment and economic growth. Projects such as this demonstrate how we are translating that commitment into infrastructure that directly serves communities and productive economic clusters.”

He added: “By improving supply to homes and productive activities within the beneficiary communities, they can help reduce dependence on generators, support longer working hours and create better conditions for investment and jobs.

“The interconnected approach also underscores the importance of cooperation. Developers, the distribution company, government and communities work together to strengthen electricity service. For Ibadan and Oyo State, this is a welcome investment in local economic life.”

Also speaking, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said the agency was increasingly prioritising the deployment of generation capacity to locations where it could deliver the greatest economic impact, while leveraging private-sector investment and sustainable operating models.

Aliyu disclosed that thousands of households across the five local government areas in Oyo State would benefit from the project.

He described the 17.7MW Ibadan project as a reflection of the scale and ambition of a new generation of distributed renewable energy projects being developed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the initiative goes beyond adding generation capacity to the national electricity supply, as it is designed to stimulate productivity, attract investment and create economic opportunities in the beneficiary communities.

“This groundbreaking is about more than 17.7 megawatts of new generation capacity. It is about what that capacity will enable. Reliable electricity means longer operating hours for businesses, lower dependence on expensive self-generation, increased productivity, new investment and, ultimately, more jobs and economic opportunities,” Aliyu said.

In his goodwill message, Managing Director of IBEDC, Mr. Deolu Ijose, said the company’s existing distribution infrastructure would be used to integrate and deliver electricity generated by Paras Energy.

He explained that the arrangement would combine existing network assets with additional generation capacity to improve electricity access and support better energy outcomes in the benefiting communities.

“The project will deploy a combined 17.7 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system supported by battery energy storage, interconnected with IBEDC’s existing distribution infrastructure. This integrated solution is expected to improve electricity availability and supply reliability for households, businesses, and productive-use customers across the beneficiary communities.

“To our traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of Bola, Jiboye, Molade–Adelubi, Ogo-Oluwa and Sooko-Elega, your cooperation is essential. We encourage you to support the project by protecting electricity infrastructure and maintain constructive engagement with the service providers,” Ijose said.

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, saying improved electricity supply would positively affect businesses, households and livelihoods across the beneficiary communities.

Ladoja also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the infrastructure projects being implemented across Oyo State and called for their timely completion.