The federal government through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) on Wednesday inaugurated an Energy Management System (EMS) control centre capable of hosting all mini-grids in the country.
Carrying out the official launch of the project at its corporate headquarters in Abuja, the REA disclosed that it will also today (Thursday) conduct the ground-breaking of a 900kWp solar mini-grid in Rubochi, Kuje council, as well as a 100kWp at Ikwa Ward, Gwagwalada as part of the phase I of the Korean Energy Project (KEP).
Describing it as a significant milestone, the agency stated that it was a testament to its efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation with foreign development partners such as the Korean Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) and its Korean implementing consortium partners.
Speaking at the launch of the centre in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said, “For us, the EMS is not just a tool; it is a mechanism we plan to optimise to alleviate the existential problem of poor energy data in the nation’s energy space.
“It is surely a gateway to a future where data becomes a strategic asset in our pursuit of reliable, accessible, and sustainable energy. This system will revolutionise the way we manage and utilise energy data across our electrification programmes.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Rural Electrification Agency, Ahmad Salihijo, said the centre, constructed in the Abuja headquarters of REA, was made possible with the support of the Korean government under its Official Development Assistance.
He explained that the Electricity Act 2023, under Section 154 (Monitoring of Rural Electrification Projects), mandated the REA to put in place appropriate machinery for the monitoring of rural electrification implementation projects nationwide.
“Furthermore, the mechanism for rural electrification monitoring should include the use of geographic information systems and geo-mapping technologies to monitor projects effectively and generate and analyse project data without physical visits to projects’ locations.
“In a landscape where data is paramount, the EMS stands as a beacon of efficiency and transparency. It is a tool that will empower us to make informed decisions, optimise our energy resources, and enhance the impact of our electrification initiatives across Nigeria,” Salihijo added.
He said the system would integrate with REA’s existing programmes, providing real-time insights and enabling the agency to navigate the dynamic energy landscape with precision.
“For instance, the system will further strengthen our collaboration with the power distribution companies on the development, integration, monitoring, and management of interconnected mini-grids,”.
