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Sharing the power with community-led minigrids to increase Nigerian energy access

In Nigeria, mini-grids have emerged as a cost-effective option for reliable. However,estimates from the Nigerian Rural Electrifica tion Agency (REA) show almost 90 million people in Nigeria do not have access to grid electricity. Consequently, the country’s Energy Transition Plan wants to add 30,000MW of newly installed capacity by 2030, from at least 30% of renewable energy sources. This includes mini-grids – self-contained energy generation and distribution systems – which usually operate at the community scale.

Sharing the Power receives support from the Dutch Postcode Lottery. Their deputy head of the charity depa rtment Marieke Rodenhuis said they are pleased and excited to get involved in the project. “Having communities drive these effforts – providing examples for other communities – is exactly the model that we envisioned when we pa rtnered with RMI to help fund this work,” she said.

The projects will develop and implement measures to increase the community’s ownership and develop inclusive governance that should allow for equitable distribution of benefits among community members. RMI will also integrate the projects into Nigeria’s existing mini-grid programmes to support ongoing national electrification efforts.