The Rural Electrification Agency has commissioned two major solar mini-grid projects in Kano State to further improve power supply at critical public institutions. The projects comprise a 1.5MW solar installation at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, and a 6MW expansion project at Bayero University Kano.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Dala, REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, said the projects are part of the National Public Sector Solarization Initiative aimed at improving power supply in four critical sectors, namely education, health, agriculture and security. He explained that 15 federal universities have so far benefited from the education component of the programme, noting that BUK’s project entails the upgrading of an existing hybrid mini-grid from 3.5MW to 6MW.
Aliyu said President Bola Tinubu had approved N100 billion in the 2025 national budget to drive this initiative that aims to guarantee clean and stable electricity while reducing fuel dependence and operational costs in major public institutions.
He explained that the National Orthopaedic Hospital, established in 1959, was chosen due to its long-standing service record and increased energy demands. The new solar installation will also power the MRI machine recently acquired by the hospital, he added, which requires continuous electricity supply.
“This is a nexus as we provide electricity reliability, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) is providing MRI equipment to enhance diagnostic services,” he said.
Aliyu said the final cost for the projects would depend on upgrades to existing distribution networks and metering, but assured that additional power projects were being rolled out across the region as part of efforts to close Nigeria’s electricity access gap. The Chief Medical Director of the Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr. Isa Nuruddin, welcomed the project as timely, especially with increasing electricity tariffs. He added that powering the MRI with diesel would have been extremely expensive, saying the solar installation will reduce operating costs and deliver direct benefits to patients.
