By Editor

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has commenced the development of a 1.5-megawatt (MW) interconnected mini-grid in Pankshin, Plateau State, as part of its nationwide drive to expand electricity access and strengthen power infrastructure in underserved communities.

The groundbreaking ceremony comes shortly after the commissioning of a 50-kilowatt Access to Markets and Agriculture (AMP) Solar Mini-Grid in Namu Community, Plateau State, and follows similar groundbreaking events for interconnected mini-grid projects in Kogi (20MW), Kebbi (3.5MW), Adamawa (27MW) and Rivers (12MW) states.

Speaking at the ceremony, REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, said the Pankshin project forms part of a broader national rollout of 48 interconnected mini-grids designed to improve electricity reliability and support economic development across Nigeria.

According to him, the project will enhance power quality, reduce technical losses on existing distribution networks and provide dependable electricity to support agro-processing, healthcare facilities and commercial activities.

Aliyu also commended Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for fostering an enabling environment that encourages private sector investment in the state’s power sector.

He disclosed that the agency is currently constructing 10 additional mini-grid projects in Plateau under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) Programme, covering Langtang South, Qua’an Pan, Shendam, Mikang, Wase, Kanke, Kanam, Mangu and other benefiting local government areas.

The REA boss explained that interconnected mini-grids are designed to complement existing distribution infrastructure by easing network constraints, improving power quality, reducing technical losses and supplying additional electricity where demand is highest.

He added that beyond improving electricity access, the projects are expected to stimulate local economic growth by providing businesses and productive enterprises with reliable power.

“The objective is to ensure electricity becomes a catalyst for production, job creation and economic development, rather than merely a source of consumption,” he said.

Industry experts have welcomed the initiative, describing interconnected mini-grids as a practical solution to Nigeria’s persistent electricity access challenges, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

They noted that while grid expansion remains essential, distributed renewable energy systems are increasingly becoming a cost-effective way of improving electricity reliability and supporting productive economic activities.

Energy economists say reliable electricity remains one of the biggest obstacles facing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), especially in agriculture, processing, healthcare and education, where high energy costs continue to limit productivity.

According to the experts, projects such as the Pankshin mini-grid could help lower businesses’ dependence on diesel generators, reduce operating costs and improve the competitiveness of rural enterprises.

They also pointed out that interconnected mini-grids differ from isolated mini-grids because they work alongside existing distribution networks, supplying additional electricity where demand is high while helping to improve voltage stability and reduce technical losses.

However, the experts cautioned that the long-term success of the projects would depend on sustained maintenance, commercially viable tariff structures, strong community participation and effective collaboration between mini-grid developers, electricity distribution companies and regulators.

They further observed that the rollout aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 and could attract greater private investment into renewable energy infrastructure if implementation remains consistent.

According to them, expanding interconnected mini-grids across the country would not only improve electricity supply but also stimulate local industries, create jobs, enhance food processing and strengthen Nigeria’s transition to a cleaner and more resilient energy system.

The REA has continued to scale up renewable energy deployment through its DARES Programme and other electrification initiatives as part of efforts to close Nigeria’s electricity access gap and improve energy security.

By Ambrose Nnaji

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has moved the proposed $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline a step closer to construction after member states signed an intergovernmental agreement supporting the landmark regional energy project.

The agreement was signed on Sunday in Freetown, Sierra Leone, according to a joint statement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM).

The accord marks one of the most significant milestones in the development of the trans-African gas pipeline, which is expected to strengthen regional energy security, expand access to natural gas, promote industrialisation across West Africa and increase gas exports to Europe.

Under the proposed project, the pipeline will transport up to 30 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas annually from Nigeria through 13 West African countries to Morocco.

About 15 bcm of the projected annual capacity is expected to be delivered to Morocco and European markets through the existing Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline linking Morocco to Spain.

Originally conceived by the governments of Nigeria and Morocco nearly a decade ago, the pipeline will stretch approximately 6,900 kilometres using a combination of offshore and onshore routes, making it one of the world’s longest cross-border gas infrastructure projects.

NNPC and ONHYM confirmed that both the feasibility study and the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) have been completed, paving the way for the next phase of implementation.

According to the joint statement, the next major milestone will be the signing of a separate agreement between Morocco and Mauritania in the presence of Nigeria’s President, further advancing the project’s execution.

The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline is designed to unlock Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves while supplying cleaner energy to participating countries for electricity generation, industrial development and mining activities.

Beyond improving energy access, the project is expected to deepen regional integration, create investment opportunities and support economic growth across West Africa.

Nigeria has steadily advanced the project over the past few years.

In June 2022, the Federal Executive Council approved NNPC to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ECOWAS to facilitate the pipeline’s development from Nigeria through West Africa to Morocco and Europe.

Later that year, NNPC signed additional MoUs with five African countries to broaden regional cooperation and accelerate implementation.

In March 2024, then NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, said the project was expected to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) before the end of 2024.

However, like many large-scale cross-border infrastructure projects, progress has been slowed by financing requirements, regulatory coordination among participating countries and the technical complexity of constructing one of the world’s longest offshore gas pipelines.

Despite these challenges, the latest ECOWAS agreement represents a major breakthrough, providing the political and legal framework needed to mobilise financing and coordinate implementation among participating states.

Once completed, the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline is expected to become a strategic energy corridor linking West Africa to Europe, enhancing energy security, supporting industrial growth and reinforcing Africa’s role in the global natural gas market.

By Editor

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has honoured renowned engineer, former Minister of Power and founder of Geometric Power, Bart Nnaji, as he marked his 70th birthday, recognising his outstanding contributions to science, innovation and the growth of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation.

At a colloquium organised to commemorate the milestone, NLNG highlighted Professor Nnaji’s more than two decades of involvement in strengthening the governance, credibility and global profile of the prestigious science prize.

Speaking at the event, NLNG’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, represented by the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, described Professor Nnaji as one of the earliest champions of the initiative and a key figure in its evolution since its establishment in 2004.

“Professor Nnaji has been part of the Prize’s journey since its inception in 2004. Through his intellectual leadership, strategic counsel and sustained advocacy, he has helped shape its vision, strengthen stakeholder confidence and advance its role as a platform for scientific innovation and national development,” Horsfall said.

She noted that one of Professor Nnaji’s earliest public contributions came during the inaugural Grand Award Night in Abuja on October 9, 2004, when he delivered the keynote lecture titled “Leapfrogging Science and Technology in Nigeria.”

According to NLNG, the address reinforced the Prize’s founding objective of promoting science, technology and innovation as critical drivers of Nigeria’s socio-economic development while helping to raise awareness of the initiative among scientists, policymakers and the wider research community.

Professor Nnaji’s involvement expanded in 2013 when he participated in a strategic stakeholder review organised by NLNG to strengthen the governance and administration of the Prize.

His recommendations contributed to reforms that enhanced the transparency, credibility and operational effectiveness of the award, further boosting stakeholder confidence in the initiative.

In recognition of his sustained commitment, Professor Nnaji was appointed Chairman of the Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation in 2022.

Since assuming the role, he has continued to support the internationalisation of the Prize, leveraging his global academic reputation and professional network to deepen engagement with leading scientists, researchers and innovators across the world.

Falade said Professor Nnaji’s relationship with the Prize extends beyond his official responsibilities, describing him as an integral part of its institutional history.

“Professor Nnaji is part of the history of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation and a valued member of the NLNG family. As he marks this important milestone, we celebrate his distinguished record as a scientist, public servant and leader in Nigeria’s power industry. We wish him good health and many more years of impactful service to Nigeria and the wider society,” he said.

NLNG also acknowledged Professor Nnaji’s broader contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly in engineering, academia, public service and the power sector, where he has championed reforms and investments aimed at improving electricity supply and industrial growth.

Established in 2004 and sponsored by NLNG, The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation recognises scientists and innovators whose research provides practical solutions to challenges of national significance. The annual competition is open to researchers and innovators from across the world and has become one of Africa’s most prestigious science awards.