Bayero University, Kano (BUK) will today (Tuesday) receive the largest off-grid solar hybrid power plant in Africa under the Energising Education Programme (EEP) of the Federal Government.
Under implementation by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Energising Education Programme (EEP) is a Federal Government intervention focused on developing off-grid dedicated independent power plants, rehabilitating existing distribution infrastructure to supply clean, safe and reliable power to 37 federal universities and 7 affiliated university teaching hospitals.
The projects commissioned will see 55,815 students and 3,077 staff have access to electricity supply from the university’s 7.1Mega Watts solar hybrid power plant.
Damilola Ogunbiyi, managing director, Rural Electrification Agency says the Bayero University commissioning would include the launch of 11.41KM of solar powered street lights as well as a world class renewables training centre.
According to Ogunbiyi, “This is the largest off-grid solar hybrid power plant in Africa, we as Nigerians, should be very proud of, thanks to commitment of the Federal Government towards sustainable energy and education. Students and staff of Bayero University, Kano can now experience learning and teaching in a safer, cleaner and more conducive academic environment”.
One of the major highlight of the events will be the graduation of 20 female students who participated in the Female STEM Students Internship Programme. The female students, who received practical training during the course of the project construction would be awarded certificates of completion.
Commenting on the impact of the BUK solar hybrid installations, Evangelos Kamaris, managing director, METKA West Africa Limited, the EPC contractor mentioned that “the state-of-the-art solar hybrid power plant will result in carbon dioxide savings of 108,875,120Ibs, a feat we as green contractors are proud of.”
Bayero University, Kano is the second project to be commissioned under Phase 1 of the Energizing Education Programme that will deliver clean and sustainable energy to nine federal universities and one university teaching hospital in the next 4 years, using solar hybrid and/or gas-fired captive power plants.