REA, Varsities, Teaching Hospitals Sign Deal On Sustainable Electricity Supply

Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed an agreement with seven federal universities and two teaching hospitals to enhance sustainable electricity supply across Nigeria.

This project is part of efforts by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to expand alternative energy access to underserved and unserved rural communities.

This initiative, which is part of the Energising Education Programme (EEP) Phase II, of the REA, involves the setting up of solar-powered mini-grids and the revamping of distribution infrastructures in the benefiting universities and teaching hospitals in phase I and phase II of the programme.

The agreement, formalised on Friday, will see the implementation of independent power plants at selected universities and teaching hospitals, ensuring reliable and affordable electricity.

The project is expected to significantly improve operational efficiency in these institutions, thereby enhancing educational outcomes and healthcare services.

Funding for this phase is supported by the Federal Government of Nigeria in partnership with the World Bank, amounting to approximately $250 million. This investment will cover engineering, procurement, construction, and maintenance of the power plants, as well as infrastructure upgrades.

Speaking at the closing of a two-day stakeholders engagement forum on the Energizing Education Programme in Abuja, the minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu said the projects would improve electricity supply to the universities at an affordable rate.

Adelabu, who was represented by assistant director, Renewable & Rural Power Access, Bem Anyangeaor noted that studies have shown that there is a direct link between energy access and education outcomes.

He said: “When schools have reliable electricity, they can extend learning hours, utilise educational technology, and create safe and comfortable learning environments.
This, in turn, leads to increased enrollment, improved academic performance, and enhanced teacher/student productivity.

“This is why the EEP was conceptualised to address the issue of electricity access in our educational institutions. Although a number of universities in Nigeria are connected to the national grid, the consistency and quality of electricity supply can differ substantially, particularly in rural regions. However, many educational institutions in Nigeria continue to grapple with the challenges of securing reliable and affordable electricity.

“These challenges include infrastructure limitations, financial constraints, and technical difficulties, which collectively hinder the delivery of quality education and undermine the academic experience. Despite these challenges, we have opportunities for innovation and collaboration. By investing in renewable energy technologies, improving grid infrastructure, and promoting energy efficiency, we can overcome these obstacles and expand access to electricity in educational institutions across the country”, he added.

Adelabu noted that the “relationship between energy access and education is undeniable, and sustainability is the key to unlocking this potential. By investing in energy infrastructure and ensuring that all educational institutions have access to reliable and affordable electricity, we can create a brighter future for our nation”.

On his part, the managing director/CEO of Rural Electrification Agency, REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu said the programme is expected to provide reliable and affordable power supply to the 37 federal universities and seven affiliated teaching hospitals.

He said the programme had spent $250 million to project solar-powered mini-grids and substations at the institutions.

He disclosed that the institutions are being equipped with solar hybrid power plants, collectively capable of generating over 100MW of clean energy.

“A lot of money has been committed, public sector funding of a total of over $250 million has been spent in both phase II and phase III of this project to deploy these infrastructures, build distribution networks, upgrade substations, meter all the connecting areas within the universities and at the same time build world-class training centres at the universities and established a foundation of training students of the universities on renewable energy”, he stated.

Under Phase 1 of the EEP, nine universities and one teaching hospital were captured, a total of seven universities and two teaching hospitals are under Phase 2 while eight universities and one teaching hospital will be provided with the same facilities under Phase 3, scheduled to commence by March 2025.

“The REA has deployed a mini grid in different universities and we deployed it in different phases, Phase I, 2 and 3. What we are signing here is a collaborative agreement that are provided for by the responsibilities of the universities and the responsibility of the REA. And at the same time, the agreement we signed also provides for a sustainability plan. If you know one of the challenges with the Renewed Hope Energy Project is that it has a life span. Over a period of time, the batteries and the inverter will expire.

“What we are now doing is to ensure that we are planning with the end in mind. So from the beginning, we are putting in place a commercial, technical and operational framework that will ensure that after the deployment of this mini grid, it would continue to operate over a long period of time in the history of the universities. That is what we are doing now.

The head of the Nigeria Electrification Project, Olufemi Akinyelure said while projects in phase II of the programme have been completed, those in phase III will be ready by the first quarter of next year.

While noting power supply from the facilities won’t be free, he stated that it would be far cheaper than the regular grid supply.

Akinyelure explained that the collaboration agreement with the universities and teaching hospitals would ensure the sustainability of the facilities.

“This agreement, which now applies to Phases I, II, and III, outlines the roles, responsibilities, and financial commitments necessary to sustain the solar power plants. The sustainability and business case models for EEP Phase I were especially emphasised to correct any previous oversights and ensure the alignment of all phases with the long-term sustainability framework.

“Notably, the agreement has been revised to clarify its nature. Any binding clauses have been removed, with a clear statement that REA will not be held responsible for power plant performance if the institutions do not adhere to the sustainability framework established by REA. This ensures that the responsibility for ongoing operational success rests with the universities themselves, in close collaboration with REA”, he added.

Some of the benefiting universities are Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, the University of Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, the University of Benin, and the University of Abuja amongst others.