After 17 years without connection to the national electricity grid, the Talasse community in Blanga Local Government Area of Gombe State now has a 1-Mw solar mini-grid expected to serve more than 6,000 households and businesses.
The project, supported by the Federal Government and the World Bank, is aimed at improving electricity access and creating new economic opportunities for locals.
The 1-Mw solar power plant, backed by a 2.4-Mw-hour battery storage system, has been commissioned to provide electricity through a dedicated distribution network.
The project was implemented under the Rural Electrification Agency’s Nigerian Electrification Project, with support from the Federal Government and the World Bank.
Beyond lighting homes, the project is designed to support productive activities, including rice milling, flour processing and groundnut processing.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said the State government will complement electricity access with equipment to help farmers, women and young entrepreneurs turn power into income and employment.
“What was then a promise has become a reality. What was then a construction site has become a source of power, opportunity and renewed hope for our people.”
The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, highlighted that the project reflects the Federal Government’s drive to extend electricity access across the country, regardless of location.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, explained that the Talasse project is part of a wider programme of renewable energy interventions, including interconnected mini-grids planned for Kaltungo, Kumo, Dukku and Bajoga.
With more than 6,000 households and businesses expected to benefit, the challenge now is to sustain reliable supply and ensure the electricity translates into lasting economic opportunities for the community.
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(Editor: Ken Eseni)
