The federal government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has hit a cumulative total of 60.82 megawatts (MW) in recent decentralised mini-grid groundbreakings across the country.

This milestone was achieved on Wednesday, following the flag-off ceremony for 13.92 megawatt-peak (MWp) of interconnected hybrid solar projects in Yobe State.

The new Yobe installation builds upon a massive wave of recent REA infrastructure developments.

Prior to this latest event, the agency successfully initiated 46.9 megawatts of power infrastructure across five other states.

These earlier rollouts include a 20MW mini-grid in Egume (Kogi State), an 11.9MWp project in Ogu-Bolo (Rivers State), and a 10MW installation in Kofare (Adamawa State).

Rounding out the previous total are a 3.5MW mini-grid in Ambursa (Kebbi State) and a 1.5MW project in Pankshin (Plateau State).

When combined with the newly launched 13.92MWp capacity in Yobe, the sum total of these recent groundbreakings stands at an impressive 60.82 megawatts of decentralised power.

Supported by the World Bank and equipped with 40 distribution transformers, the 13.92MWp Yobe initiative is distributed across major commercial and residential hubs to stabilise power and stimulate local commerce.

Rather than a single massive plant, the capacity is divided strategically into a 3.20MWp installation in Nguru, another 3.20MWp plant at Yarimaram in Potiskum, a 2.98MWp system in Gashua, a 2.78MWp project at Rugan Fulani in Potiskum, and a 1.76MWp solar installation serving the Waziri Ibrahim Estate in Damaturu.

Speaking during the ceremony on Wednesday, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni praised the REA’s commitment, noting the project’s alignment with his administration’s vision for resilient infrastructure designed to boost local industrial capacity and agricultural productivity.

Also speaking, the REA Managing Director and CEO, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, explained that interconnected hybrid mini-grids are engineered to integrate seamlessly with existing distribution networks.

“We are not merely connecting communities to electricity. We are connecting them to opportunity. We are creating an environment where businesses can grow, young people can innovate, farmers can process more of what they produce, healthcare facilities can provide better services, and local economies can flourish,” Dr Aliyu said.

The REA MD also announced that beyond the 60.82MW of current nationwide groundbreakings, the REA has 14 additional pipeline projects underway in Yobe State alone.

Tracing back to a strategic roundtable held in June 2025, these upcoming developments will add another 15.3MWp of combined capacity. Once completed, this future pipeline is expected to deliver electricity access to 23,870 new connections across communities like Jawur Katamma, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, and Dibbwol.