Nigeria inaugurated its first solar hybrid plant. The 2.8-MW capacity plant is located at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Ebonyi State. It will operate from solar panels that will be supported by diesel electric generators.
The plant is part of the Energizing Education Program (EEP) implemented by the federal government through the Rural Electrification Agency. The objective of this program is to equip the main education centers with their own power generation units.
This first plant will provide electricity to 7,700 university students and more than 1,800 members of the university administration.
"This program will undoubtedly improve the quality of education, research and health services at universities and university hospitals in our country. I am proud of the role played by women in the successful implementation of this project since the project leader is a woman and the students of the faculty of science have actively participated,” said Damilola Ogunbiyi, director of the Rural Electrification Agency, at the inauguration.