Enugu Govt, EU-GIZ sign Agreement to electrify Four Rural Communities within Six months

In it’s determination to boost the economy of the state and provide renewable energy in rural communities, Enugu State Government has signed grant agreements with four renewable energy developers for the electrification of four rural communities across the state’s three senatorial districts.

The Agreement was signed under the Renewable Energy Development for State Electricity Market (REDSEM) initiative funded by the European Union and the German Government through GIZ.

Speaking during the event held on Wednesday at the Hotel Presidential, Enugu , Chairman of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), Chijioke Okonkwo, described the initiative as a major step towards ending energy poverty in underserved communities.

He said the beneficiary communities are Okpatu, Ugbawka, Agwunta and Ijabe. He added that the projects are expected to provide reliable electricity to thousands of residents within six months.
According to him, the programme will provide integrated solar mini-grid systems with a minimum generation capacity of 200 kilowatts in each of the beneficiary communities.
He explained that the German Government, through GIZ, is providing an in-kind grant covering solar panels, batteries, inverters, poles, wires, conductors and other critical infrastructure required for the projects.

Okonkwo

Okonkwo disclosed that while the grant covers about 80 per cent of the project cost, the selected developers would contribute the remaining 20 per cent for civil works, metering, operations and service delivery.
“The developers that are going to implement this project are not coming to provide free electricity service. They are to put in an additional 20 per cent of the investment to electrify these communities,” he said.

He assured residents that the tariff structure would remain affordable, saying,
“While they will be paying, because electricity is not free, their tariff will be the cheapest tariff of electricity services that you can get in Enugu.”
The EERC Chairman further revealed that the communities had already embraced the projects by providing land and signing the required agreements with the developers.
“The communities have already welcomed them in, identified land for them, and signed their exclusivity agreement.”

Speaking, the Governor of Enugu state ,Dr Peter Mbah said the project aligns with the administration’s commitment to making Enugu an investment destination through infrastructure development and strategic partnerships.

Represented by the the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia
Governor Mbah explained that reliable electricity remains central to economic growth, security, healthcare, education and rural development.

SSG, Prof Onyia

“Businesses will not come to you if there’s no security and if you’re not making provision for power, sustainable, stable power.”
According to him, the initiative would significantly improve the socio-economic wellbeing of residents in the benefiting communities.
“What this partnership is doing is going just beyond the business aspect but also going to help our citizens in these rural areas begin to enjoy adequate power that will increase their economic activities, improve health, and also help with education within these spaces.”

The Governor commended GIZ and other development partners for their confidence in Enugu State and assured investors of government support and prompt regulatory approvals.
“What we will not tolerate is somebody winning today and showing that they don’t have capacity.”
He also pledged close monitoring of the projects to ensure timely delivery.
“I will personally, as the head of the delivery team, visit these locations at intermittent points to ensure that we are keeping with the timeline for delivery.”
The Governor called on traditional rulers and community leaders to protect the facilities when completed.
“Your role in ensuring security of this asset is critical.”
In his speech , the Head of Component, Sustainable Energy Investments at GIZ-NESP, Joshua Garba, commended Enugu State for the progress it has made in developing its electricity market.

“Enugu State is always mentioned at our meetings and gatherings because of the progress it has made in the electricity sector. We are pleased to be part of this journey and will continue to support the state beyond the current intervention,” he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Franklin Enyinna, described the project as a key driver of the state’s economic transformation agenda.
“You cannot grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion without reliable power supply. This project aligns perfectly with the governor’s vision of making Enugu an investment-friendly destination.”

Speaking on behalf of the developers, Chief Executive Officer of Sea Solar Energy Limited, Mr. Chibueze Ekeh, said the projects would provide 24-hour electricity to the beneficiary communities, improve security and stimulate economic activities
He disclosed that about 8,000 residents across the four communities are expected to benefit directly from the initiative.

The REDSEM programme is one of the flagship electricity interventions being implemented by the Enugu State Government as part of efforts to expand access to clean energy, drive rural development and support the state’s long-term economic growth agenda. The pilot studies were being carried out innthree States, Enugu, Plateau and Kano states.