The FULafia solar project, a 1.6-megawatt (MW) captive solar hybrid plant, has been commissioned at the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) in Nasarawa State.
The Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Tegbe, commissioned it at the university’s Permanent Site Campus.
It was executed under Phase III of the Federal Government’s Energising Education Programme (EEP), run by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The plant is expected to save the university about N30 million monthly on electricity costs.
It has a solar park of about 1.6MWp, a Power Conditioning System and an Energy Storage System. The set-up is meant to keep power steady, manage peak demand and supply critical loads after sunset.
Tegbe thanked President Bola Tinubu for treating energy as a key driver of national development. He also commended Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, for backing renewable energy.
He said the project is a major milestone for the university and that the Federal Government remains committed to solving the country’s electricity challenges.
According to him, FULafia and other universities under the programme now enjoy uninterrupted power, and other Nigerians should soon get the same.
Governor Sule described the intervention as an important step towards improving learning and research at the university. He praised the minister for facilitating it.
“My opinion is that we should build as many mini-grids as possible. That is the future of Nigeria’s electrification. To reach those without access, we can focus on mini-grids.
“This is the practical way to solve our problems. I appreciate that we have a practical President and a practical Minister to tackle these problems head-on,” Sule said.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Isa Kida, said the university has had uninterrupted power since the test run began about three months ago.
He said reliable electricity is essential for quality teaching, digital learning, laboratory work and research.
According to him, the project will benefit over 30,000 students and staff. It is also expected to improve digital services and support practical training in renewable energy.
Kida also praised the training for women in STEM that came with the project. He assured that the university will protect the facilities to get the most out of them over the long term.
The Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, said the Federal Government is moving from fragmented efforts to coordinated and scalable electrification programmes.
He thanked funding and development partners, especially the African Development Bank (AfDB), for piloting the programme. He also praised Governor Sule as a pacesetter in renewable energy.
Aliyu said the agency has financed 22 mini-grid projects in Nasarawa State, with 37 more to be developed shortly.
A 300-level student, Raimat Abdullahi, said stable electricity now lets her study for longer periods.
“Our ambition is to build a renewable economy around the electrification of Nigeria,” Aliyu said.
Representatives of Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd. and International Consolidated Contractors also attended the commissioning.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
