by Ode Uduu

Four hundred and thirty-eight rural electrification projects were completed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in 2017 as contained in the 2017 budget. These projects are to ensure the provision of electricity in rural areas to improve access to electricity.

On one hand, the completed projects mean expanding the already burdened grid to accommodate additional load.

On the other hand, although it provided energy to the rural areas, the energy provided cannot be judged clean because of its source. At least 75% of the on-grid electrification projects in the country are thermal-powered.

Electrifying Rural Areas
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in its 2017 budget, made provision of power to rural areas through 471 projects approved by the government. To achieve this, the agency made provision for the construction of mini-grids and expansion of ‌ grids.

Data available shows that the agency completed 438 of the 471 projects proposed in 2017. This shows a 92.9% rural electrification project performance from the 2017 budget.

Most of the projects were ‌in the north-central region of the country. The region had 103 of the 117 electrification projects completed, as stated in the budget. In the south-south, 77 out of 85 projects were completed and in the north-west,76 of 79 projects were completed.

Measuring the regions based on most projects completed as proposed, the south-west, which has fewer projects, completed most of its projects. Out of 54 projects, 53 were completed, representing 98.12%. At the extreme end is the north-central with 88.03% completion rate. Other regions had a completion performance above 90%.

Continue reading: https://www.dataphyte.com/latest-reports/energy/electricity/off-grid-options-for-rural-electrification-is-better-for-nigerias-clean-energy-goals/

cc: lalasticlala, seun, onila, farano, mynd44, prettythicksme

Many have no idea how little light we have.