Kaduna State Government (KDSG) has launched a 21.9kW solar mini grid in Igabi LGA of the state, to tackle electricity in the state. This first project is a $50 million investment in the Kaduna Power Sector.
Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El Rufai had mentioned when speaking to press men, that access to reliable energy for healthcare clinics, homes, business set up, schools and farmers in the state, have always been one of the top concerns of the government for Kaduna state citizens. He believes that access to power is a way of building a sustainable economy where everyone can have a share.
Through KAPSCO (Kaduna Power Supply Company) – the State’s Power company, 255 Primary Healthcare centres, 13 hospitals, schools, various communities, 1,300 solar-powered streetlights across Kaduna to improve night-time economy and security inter-state bus parks.
KAPSCO’s aim is to make electricity readily available to power off-grid communities, execute power projects, power public buildings and carry out maintenance of solar streetlights.
KAPSCO may not do this on a sole project. Therefore, it has opened up about its willingness to partner with the private or public sector, donors and other stakeholders. That said, KONEXA, a new platform that works with State governments and its associates to deliver their vision of reliable power for everyone, has decided to partner with KAPSCO to enliven their vision. Also, power conglomerates like Shell, Rockfeller, DFID, Power Africa, have set the pace for the concept to begin, and it starts with Kaduna state.
To start, KONEXA launched a 21.9kW Solar Hybrid mini-grid recently in Ruhugi, Chikagi gbagi community in Igabi LGA. This machine can connect over 70 households and small businesses offering resident access to electric power.
KAPSCO has been a good investment project so far. It has maintained 2.3MW of Solar systems in 47 locations, launched the Kaduna Solar for all program – a salary deductible program available to 70,000 public servants in just phase 1 of the project, and saved about N400 million on electricity bills.
Ongoing projects include:
Using a feasibility study for 38 communities to design a framework for the provision of customized off-grid power solutions for each community.
Providing 80kW of Solar power for the computer labs of 16 public secondary schools.
Improving community lighting and security in Barnawa by installing solar-powered streetlights in and around economic centres.
Electric supply for all Kaduna state residents will surely leave footprints on the economy of the state, and provide a better life for Kaduna state residents.
