Federal Government to Launch N100 Billion Solar Energy Initiative for Public Sector Organizations

The Federal Government has given the green light to a N100 billion allocation under the National Public Sector Solarization Initiative, aimed at providing a stable electricity supply to public institutions nationwide.

n

This development was revealed by Engr. Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, during a visit by Justice Babatunde Adejumo, Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, to the agency's Abuja headquarters yesterday.

n

The initiative seeks to tackle the electricity challenges faced by government institutions, particularly those grappling with inadequate power supply or escalating energy costs, according to Aliyu.

n

As part of the Federal Government's broader push to expand electricity access through renewable energy solutions, the programme is poised to make a significant impact, Aliyu explained.

n

President Bola Tinubu has approved the N100 billion allocation for the National Public Sector Solarization Initiative, which will benefit institutions like the National Judicial Institute, Aliyu noted.

n

The intervention is specifically targeted at public institutions that are underserved or struggling to pay for conventional electricity supply, Aliyu added.

n

Implementation of the initiative has already begun in several key government establishments, including the Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the National Hospital Abuja, as well as multiple educational institutions across the country.

n

The REA will conduct an energy audit at the National Judicial Institute to determine the optimal capacity of the solar mini-grid system required for the institute, Aliyu said.

n

Following the completion of the energy audit, the size of the mini-grid and the distribution network to be deployed will be determined, according to Aliyu.

n

Aliyu assured the National Judicial Institute management that the institute would be included in the programme as the agency expands renewable energy infrastructure across public sector facilities.

n

Justice Adejumo had earlier emphasized the importance of stable electricity for the effective functioning of judicial institutions, highlighting that modern judicial training and research rely heavily on a reliable power supply.