REA, Others Provide 100KWP Solar Power In Kaduna Market

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has partnered with Blue Camel Energy in providing 100 Kilowatts Peak solar hybrid mini-grid power at Kasuwan Magani market in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

Engr. Ahmad Salihijo, the Managing Director, REA, on the sidelines of the market commissioning on Thursday in Kaduna, said that the power grid was funded by the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) and Blue Camel Energy.

AllNews reports that Blue Camel Energy is an Abuja-based private renewable energy and power back-up solution.

Salihijo, who was represented by Dr Sanusi Ohiare, the Executive Director, REF, said the solar project is aimed at supplying electricity to the market which would cover about 580 shops.

“The project will also provide constant and reliable electricity to one commercial Bank, a Police Station and a Fire Service Station.

“In comparison with other sources of energy, the solar power is clean being a renewable energy and also safe and reliable,” he said.

According to Salihijo, the solar power would keep everybody busy doing businesses in the market which had a history of violent clashes.

“It also symbolises peace, to enable people from different places come and invest”.

“The REA is already on projects to provide similar solar power to other markets, rural houses holds, communities, businesses learning institutions and hospitals across the country,” The MD said.

Salihijo, however, assured that the solar project was decentralised and fully automated where it trips off when it senses any danger in order to avert fire outbreak.

He also assured the REA’s commitment in delivering on its mandate of providing access to reliable electric power supply to served and underserved areas across the country.

Also, Sulieman Yusuf, the founder and MD of Blue Camel Energy, lamented that Nigeria had been struggling for stability in the power sector for more than 30 years.

“For businesses to strive, power is very important, pollution and green environment is another key reason why we focus on renewable energy rather than the conventional diesel powered source of energy’.

“We have a 15 years partnership sustainability plan in this project and after that, depending on what technologies are available and where this takes us, probably it will be reviewed again.’’

The commissioning event was part of programmes outlined for the sixth edition of the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit (KadInvest 6.0), with the theme ‘Towards a Sustainable Knowledge-Based Economy'.

The Kasuwan Magani, a modern market built by the Kaduna State Government, was commissioned by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo.