(Agence Ecofin) – Over the past decade, mini-grid installations have seen a steady upward trend. This growth, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, underlines the recognition of these products as a solution for the electrification of remote areas.
Energy company Husk Power Systems and Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC), together with the Duduguru community in Nasarawa State, have signed a partnership agreement aimed at providing peri-urban commercial and residential customers with sustainable, affordable and reliable energy from interconnected mini-grids (IMG).
Husk which already has over 40 isolated mini-grids operational in Nigeria, has planned a portfolio of over 50 interconnected mini-grids across 10 states in Nigeria. These interconnected mini-grids involve a tripartite partnership between their developer, distribution companies (Discos) like AEDC, and the community where the IMGs are located.
Manoj Sinha, co-founder and CEO of Husk, commented on the announcement made on October 3, saying “This is a first step in scaling up the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, not only for the whole of Nigeria, but also, ultimately, for the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. This is a clear demonstration of how decentralized renewable energy systems give people and businesses the ability to control their own energy future ».
Last May, Husk and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) announced a partnership to deploy 250 MW of decentralized renewable energy (DRE) projects in Nigeria, including interconnected mini-grids. In addition to expanding the supply of electricity in rural and remote areas, mini-grids often replace diesel generators which are expensive and a source of pollution.
Abdullah Diop
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