Nigeria commissions 3MW solar mini-grid at university

Nigeria's Federal Government has commissioned a 3-megawatt solar hybrid mini-grid at Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja, marking a significant step in its effort to provide reliable, clean energy to federal institutions. The project, inaugurated on September 16, 2026, is part of Phase 2 of the Energising Education Programme (EEP), which aims to power seven universities and two teaching hospitals. The installation features a 3.3 MWp solar array with a 3MW AC output and 2 MWh of battery storage to support critical loads after solar hours. It also includes 388 solar-powered streetlights across the campus. Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe, who performed the commissioning, stated the project will serve 58,726 students and reduce the university's reliance on costly diesel generators. The project was delivered in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and is linked to the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project. The broader DARES programme, backed by US$750 million, supports such distributed renewable energy initiatives. The REA reported that the EEP has now delivered over 100MW of power across 22 federal institutions.