Nigeria's REA Begins Work on 1.5MW Pankshin Mini-Grid, Ten More Planned for Plateau

Nigeria's Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is set to deliver 11 renewable energy mini-grid projects to Plateau State in north-central Nigeria. Construction is now underway on a 1.5-megawatt interconnected mini-grid in Pankshin, one of the state's local government areas.

Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the REA held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, 21 July, to mark the start of construction.

The agency confirmed that ten more mini-grids are already under construction in other parts of the state.

The Pankshin facility is being implemented by MASK Nigeria Limited in partnership with the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), the utility responsible for power distribution in Plateau and neighbouring states.

The project will include a 2-megawatt-hour battery and a 600-kilowatt backup generator, and is one of 48 interconnected mini-grid projects the REA is deploying across Nigeria.

The rollout matters because it will improve electricity supply for businesses, healthcare facilities and agro-processing, and support local economic activity. It follows a smaller 50-kilowatt solar mini-grid commissioned in Namu Community, also in Plateau, last November.

Plateau emerges as a major beneficiary

REA Managing Director Dr Abba Aliyu said the Pankshin project marks the agency's second major milestone in Plateau after the Namu commissioning. "It is also only the beginning," he said.

He disclosed that Plateau has secured ten more mini-grid projects under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, a World Bank-backed electrification initiative, with construction already ongoing in Langtang South, Qua'an Pan, Shendam, Mikang, Wase, Kanke, Kanam and Mangu local government areas.

"What we are building here is not just a solar mini-grid. We are rebuilding the electricity distribution network by installing new transformers, rehabilitating existing lines, and providing electricity meters so that consumers will no longer be subjected to estimated billing," Aliyu said.

The 11 projects place Plateau among the Nigerian states receiving heavy investment in decentralised electricity infrastructure as the Federal Government expands renewable energy access. Aliyu commended Governor Mutfwang for creating an environment that encourages private investment in the electricity sector.

The Pankshin project follows similar groundbreaking ceremonies recently held in Kogi, Kebbi, Adamawa and Rivers states, other Nigerian states where larger renewable energy projects are also under way.

Reliable power targets businesses and communities

Aliyu said the interconnected mini-grid in Pankshin will improve electricity quality, strengthen existing distribution infrastructure and reduce technical losses. He said the project will provide additional electricity where it is most needed, helping businesses and public facilities operate more efficiently, and that stable power should support agro-processing, healthcare services and commercial enterprises rather than serve only household needs.

The interconnected system is also expected to ease pressure on existing electricity networks while supplying more reliable power to consumers.

The REA maintains that better electricity access will reduce dependence on expensive alternative power sources and improve economic activity in the communities it reaches.

The agency continues to expand mini-grid and solar-powered systems in different parts of Nigeria to reach underserved areas. With 11 projects now planned for Plateau, the state is positioned as one of the leading beneficiaries in Nigeria's decentralised electrification effort.