The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has announced plans to invest more than $12 million in a 3.5-megawatt solar power plant in Ambursa, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, in a move aimed at expanding electricity access to underserved communities.

REA Managing Director, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed the project during a courtesy visit to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris in Birnin Kebbi.

Aliyu explained that the agency’s development partner, KELM-Elicoms, will provide additional funding for the initiative, raising the total project investment to over $12 million.

The solar facility is expected to supply electricity to more than 1,500 households in Ambursa and neighbouring communities, improving access to reliable power for residents.

He noted that the REA, operating under the Federal Ministry of Power, is mandated to extend electricity to communities without access to the national grid while strengthening supply in underserved areas across Nigeria.

Aliyu also highlighted the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, revealing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a $750 million World Bank facility to accelerate rural electrification across the country.

According to him, the programme targets electricity access for about 17.5 million Nigerians through the deployment of 1,300 mini-grids nationwide, including 250 projects that will be interconnected with the national grid.

“It is because of this mini-grid programme that we are in Kebbi State. The state is among the beneficiaries of the mega solar power projects being implemented across the country,” he said.

Aliyu disclosed that the 3.5MW solar plant will be integrated into the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company network. He added that the REA has allocated a subsidy of about $6 million for the project.

“Our development partner is also committing another $6 million, bringing the total investment to over $12 million,” he added.

Beyond the solar plant, the agency plans to install solar-powered streetlights and a 5,000-capacity battery storage system to maintain electricity supply during periods without sunlight.

The REA Managing Director further announced plans to deploy standalone solar systems and establish 15 additional mini-grids in communities across Bagudo Local Government Area and other locations that are not connected to the national grid.

In his response, Governor Nasir Idris welcomed the REA delegation and commended the agency for selecting Kebbi State as one of the beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Energy initiative.

The governor also applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for backing the programme through federal funding, describing the intervention as an important step toward addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges.

Idris assured the REA of the Kebbi State Government’s full cooperation and pledged the necessary support to ensure the successful execution of the solar power project.