Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has inaugurated the construction of a 1-megawatt solar mini-grid power project in Talasse, Balanga Local Government Area, in partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and other development partners.
The project, scheduled for completion within four months, aims to deliver 24-hour uninterrupted electricity to more than 8,000 households in Talasse and nearby communities.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Governor Yahaya described the initiative as a significant milestone in his administration’s energy expansion drive and a model for effective Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the power sector.
“Today, we are formally kickstarting a project that will connect communities that have, for far too long, remained unconnected to the national grid,” the governor stated.
He said the project would ensure clean, reliable and affordable power to illuminate homes, power small businesses and create employment opportunities for young people.
The governor added that the project aligned with his administration’s vision of attracting investments to harness the state’s vast energy potential and foster inclusive and sustainable industrial growth.
He also highlighted the role of the Electricity Act 2023, noting that it had empowered states to define their energy strategies through sound regulation of power generation, transmission and distribution.
According to him, “The Talasse project is only the beginning. We are already planning subsequent phases that will bring similar facilities to other unserved and underserved communities across Gombe State.”
Governor Yahaya commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and reforms in the electricity sector, which, he said, had created the framework for states to pursue off-grid and renewable energy solutions suited to local needs.
He also thanked the REA, World Bank, MIDS Dynamics and other partners for their collaboration, urging them to maintain high standards in project delivery.
The Managing Director of the REA, Mr Abba Aliyu, lauded the governor’s leadership and commitment to partnership-driven development, noting that Gombe had become a model for other states in leveraging PPPs to expand energy access.
Aliyu further disclosed that the REA plans to implement additional solar projects across ten other local government areas in Gombe, reinforcing the state’s position as a renewable energy hub in Northern Nigeria.
Similarly, the Managing Director of MIDS Dynamics, Mr Halis Mohammed, described Gombe as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s energy transition, noting that it was the first state to commit counterpart funding for such a renewable energy initiative.
