The European Union (EU) has announced a €10.4 million funding for solar electrification projects in five Nigerian states, in a push to accelerate Nigeria’s renewable energy transition.
Each state, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Ogun, and Enugu, will receive €2,080,000 to deploy clean energy solutions to key health and business facilities.
The initiative was unveiled during a Project Developers Roundtable Workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, Tinyan Ogiehor, Stakeholder Engagement Expert and Technical Assistant for the Nigeria Solar for Health Project, highlighted that the EU funding will cover 70% of the total project cost.
The remaining 30%, approximately €624,000 per state, will be contributed by the respective state governments.
Private developers will also support the rollout by providing additional resources, technical expertise, and long-term operational support.
“This tripartite model involving the EU, state governments, and private developers is a strong demonstration of shared responsibility and sustainable partnership.
“The aim is not only to deploy clean energy infrastructure but to do so in a way that promotes local investment, accountability, and long-term viability”, Ogiehor said.
He explained that as part of the requirements, participating state governments must escrow their counterpart funds in advance, form steering committees, and implement strict fund management frameworks.
“On their part, developers are expected to handle metering, installation, remote monitoring, operations, and community engagement to ensure systems are well-maintained and trusted by local users.
The scope of the project is ambitious. About 100 primary health centres and 375 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the five states will be powered using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
“Each state is expected to receive approximately 500 kilowatts peak (kWp) of solar capacity, with battery storage capable of providing 2–3 days of uninterrupted power, effectively eliminating the need for diesel generators in these locations”, he explained.
Ogiehor also stated that in addition to infrastructure deployment, the initiative has also prioritised capacity building.
“More than 100 personnel have already been trained in energy auditing and health outcome assessments, laying the groundwork for effective project execution and monitoring.
“The systems will be distributed across various local government areas, with site selection strategically focused on areas with nearby businesses to ensure strong demand and sustainable system use”, he added.
Ogiehor also noted that four additional states have expressed interest in joining the programme, potentially expanding the project’s reach in the near future.
“The project’s next milestones include finalising site selection and energy audits by the end of June 2025, followed by detailed system design and facility retrofitting between June and July 2025.
“Procurement, shipping, installation, and baseline surveys are scheduled to commence thereafter, alongside the development of long-term operations and maintenance agreements to ensure the durability and effectiveness of the installed systems”, he added.
Ogiehor mentioned that the EU’s investment in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector comes at a time when energy access and sustainability are increasingly seen as critical drivers of economic and social development.
This initiative will improve health care services, support economic activity, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, marking a major step forward in Nigeria’s green energy journey”, he noted.
Culled from Business Newspaper
