Agency Plans 500 Electrification Projects In 2026

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has disclosed plan to execute over 500 electrification projects in the 2026 fiscal year to expand reliable power supply to strategic public institutions and underserved rural communities nationwide.

Managing director of the agency, Dr Abba Aliyu, made this known while briefing journalists after the 2026 budget defence session with the House Representatives Committee on Rural Electrification in Abuja yesterday.

Aliyu stated that the agency’s total budget proposal for 2026 stands at N170 billion out of which N100 billion is earmarked for the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative — a flagship programme designed to provide sustainable and cost-effective electricity to government institutions.

He explained that the N100 billion allocation will fund the deployment of hybrid mini-grids for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) within and outside Abuja, reducing dependence on the national grid and cutting the cost of energy consumption in public facilities.

Citing the National Hospital, Abuja as an example, the REA boss noted that the agency has already deployed solar-based infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, significantly lowering operational energy costs while improving service delivery.

Providing a breakdown of the proposed interventions, Aliyu said the 2026 budget captures a diverse mix of projects tailored to the specific energy needs of different communities.

According to him, a significant number of the projects involve grid extension to communities located near existing power infrastructure. In such cases, the agency will extend distribution lines and install transformers to connect households and businesses to the national grid.

“For agrarian settlements and communities with cottage industries, the agency plans to deploy renewable-powered mini-grids to stimulate economic productivity. Mini-grids are also earmarked for agricultural processing clusters to enhance value addition, reduce post-harvest losses, and support rural enterprise development.

“In sparsely populated and hard-to-reach areas, the REA intends to roll out solar home systems, providing standalone renewable power solutions to households that are not economically viable for grid or mini-grid connectivity.

“What we presented to the National Assembly are the comprehensive details of these over 500 projects scheduled for execution in 2026,” Aliyu stated.