REA-WB-RMI KICK-OFF MEETING WITH THE AEDC TO STRENGHTEN INTERCONNECTED MINI-GRID DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE DARES PROJECT

In a significant stride toward enhancing Nigeria’s renewable energy sector, Femi Akinyelure, Head of the Project Management Unit (HPMU) representing the MD/CEO Rural Electrification Agency (REA), alongside representatives from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the World Bank (WB), convened a kick-off meeting with Victor Ojelabi, CEO of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

The meeting, held at the AEDC Headquarters yesterday, marked a crucial juncture in preparation for the implementation of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) project, indicating a combined effort towards prioritizing sites for the first phase of the Interconnected Mini-grid projects under the DARES.

Over the years, the REA has strengthened collaborative efforts with sub nationals, Distribution Companies, private sector developers as well as community members in last-mile communities in a bid to accelerate the alleviation of energy poverty to drive socio-economic growth. Through the Nigeria Electrification Project, the nation’s energy ecosystem has seen great potentials in galvanizing efforts for the deployment of interconnected mini-grids in Nigeria; a model which will be further explored under the DARES.

During the meeting, RMI outlined indispensable activities encompassed within Phase I of the DARES, underscoring the role of AEDC’s collaboration. In a testament to their commitment, the AEDC CEO pledged his unwavering support towards these initiatives, and in a gesture of solidarity, appointed seasoned experts to lend their expertise to the cause.

Upon the meeting’s conclusion, the HPMU extended heartfelt gratitude to the AEDC CEO for their invaluable collaboration, stressing the importance of collective effort in achieving the shared objective of providing access to reliable and affordable electricity.