The Bank of Industry (BoI) has commissioned a 24KW micro-grid solar system in Charwa/Chakun, an off-grid community in Markafi local government of Kaduna State.
The commissioning of the N32million stand-alone solar electrification project, developed by Arnergy Solar Limited, was the last of the sixth pilot programme executed by the development finance institution in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP).
Apart from Charwa/Chakun, other communities where the solar systems have been deployed include:Bisanti, in Katcha LGA of Niger State, Onibambu in Ife-North LGA of Osun State, Ogbekpen, Ikpoba, in Okha LGA, of Edo State, Onono, Anambra West LGA, of Anambra State and Kaltungo LGA of Gombe State.
The six rural electrification projects, which is a combination of micro off-grid and stand-alone solar systems, cost BoI 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 the project developer within the community, which will 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 had 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. For instance, he hinted that Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, had asked the bank to partner with the state with a view to replicating the solar systems in other 10 local government areas.
According to him, the governor has given the nod for the commencement of the project in two villages of the state and would soon be commissioned. Apart from that, he explained that other governors, private organisations, multinational corporations religious bodies and communities leaders had also approached the bank for the execution of the solar project in their select communities.
In reference to the project, the BoI boss explained that each home would have sufficient solar electricity to power three LED light bulbs, 1 eletric fan, 1 radio/TV set and mobile phone charging system. He enthused: “What we are implementing is a tested and commercially sound model for delivering power to the Nigerian rural homes at affordable rate. We want all our rural communities to take control of their energy needs by paying for only energy used.
“This is the sixth of the last pilot project that is being implemented in partnership with the UNDP. We have achieved our objective of ensuring that we sensitise Nigerians to alternative renewable energy sources that are more efficient, cleaner. Testimonies from the five communities where we have successfully commissioned off-grid solar solution are quite positive.
In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el- Rufai, said the project would strengthen the government’s initiative to providing the creation of the much needed employment in the state. According to him, if the commissioned project provides electricity for 200 homes in Charwa/ Chakun, its replication in other selected nine communities would bring the total number of homes having access to off-grid electricity to 2,000.
