L-R; Head of Special Project, Anita Otubu, Chief Executive Officer Solar Sterling and Wilson Nigeria Limited, Despak Thakur,
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Rural Electrification Agency, Damilola Ogunbiyi, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria,
prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, and Vice Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo,
prof. Nwajiuba Uzoma and Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education, arc. Sonny Echomo
Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has commissioned the country’s first 2.8MW solar hybrid power project at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo in Ebonyi State.
The project falls under the Energising Education Programme (EEP) of the Federal Government, which was implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), This Day reported.
Caption: Commissioning of the solar hybrid project at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Dufu –Alike Ikwo,
Ebonyi State by his excellency Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria
The clean-generated power will provide uninterrupted power for 7,700 students and 1,819 staff members of the university, the REA said in a statement.
The managing director and CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency, Damilola Ogunbiyi, commented: “This programme will undoubtedly improve the quality of education, research and health care services at our federal universities and teaching hospitals.
“I’m proud of the role that women have played in the successful implementation of this project from the head of the project being a woman to the female STEM students that all worked on the project.”
Read this exclusive interview with Damilola Ogunbiyi published in the African Power & Energy Elites 2019 edition.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Odusote Abimbola, noted: “This programme signifies the commitment of the Federal Government to protecting the environment and reversing the harmful effects of climate change, which is already having devastating effects on our environment. This achievement occurred because government agencies worked collaboratively towards a shared goal of mainstreaming renewable clean energy.’’
On the impact of the FUNAI solar hybrid installations thus far, the EPC contractor and CEO of Sterling & Wilson, Deepak Thakur, said: “The installed 2.8MW solar hybrid power plant will decommission petrol and diesel generators with a capacity of 1.54MW, creating a cleaner and environmentally friendly atmosphere for the university community.”