NIGERIA: Husk launches ‘Sunshot’ to provide solar to 2 million people

Electricity access provider Husk Power is launching a new electrification initiative in Nigeria. Called 'Sunshot', the programme is expected to reach 2 million people over the next four years.

Husk Power is stepping up its initiatives to promote access to electricity in Africa. This time, the company based in Colorado, USA, is launching the “Sunshot” initiative in Nigeria. In this West African country, the programme aims to provide access to electricity for 2 million people by 2026.

To achieve this, Husk plans to deploy 500 solar-powered microgrids. These installations are expected to connect as many as 400,000 households to an electricity grid. “With over 90 million Nigerians living without access to electricity, Sunshot is a concrete demonstration that the microgrid industry is ready to scale up, and drive economic growth in rural areas with a resilient and carbon-neutral solution,” says Olu Aruike, Country Manager of Husk Nigeria.

Clean electricity for public facilities

According to the Manoj Sinha-led company, its Sunshot programme is also expected to provide clean electricity to 8,000 businesses, 700 public clinics, 200 private hospitals and 100 public schools. According to Husk, his initiative should help replace 25,000 diesel generators.

Micro and mini-grids are among the solutions favoured by the Nigerian government to accelerate the electrification of rural communities and some peri-urban areas. In short, these are mini solar photovoltaic power plants with battery storage systems connected to small distribution networks. Easy to set up, this solution is relatively inexpensive compared to diesel generators which also have a negative impact on the environment due to CO₂ emissions.

With the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), mini-grids have been democratised. Under this World Bank-funded project, Husk has commissioned six solar mini-grids with a combined capacity of 300 kW. The company plans to commission 22 green mini-grids in Nigeria by the end of 2022.

Jean Marie Takouleu |  https://www.afrik21.africa/