[Nigeria] Bank of Industry Commissions 24KW Off-Grid Solar Power in Kaduna

The Bank of Industry (BoI) has commissioned a 24KW micro-grid solar system in Charwa/Chakun, an off-grid community in Markafi local government area of Kaduna State.

The commissioning of the N32million stand-alone solar electrification project developed by Arnergy Solar Limited, was the last of the six pilot programs executed by the development finance institution in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Apart from Charwa/Chakun, other communities where the solar systems have been deployed include:Bisanti, in Katcha local government area of Niger State, Onibambu in Ife-North local government area of Osun State, Ogbekpen, Ikpoba, in Okha local government area of Edo State, Onono, Anambra West local government area of Anambra State and Kaltungo local government area of Gombe State.

The six rural electrification projects, which is a combination of micro off-grid and stand-alone solar systems, cost BoI the sum of N240.6million and the target is to provide electricity to thousands of rural dwellers who hitherto have no access to the national grid.

Under the stand-alone solar systems model, users are required to purchase electricity vouchers through a wireless mobile technology from a local vendor employed by the project developer within the community, which would be used to recharge the pre-paid meters provided in each home.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Charwa/Chakun solar systems, the acting managing director of the bank, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, said that the project has had strong catalytic effects on the lives of the people to the extent that demands for the deployment of solar solution had increased across the country.

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