FG Commissions 3MW Solar Hybrid Plant at Yakubu Gowon University

The Federal Government has commissioned a 3MW solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja (formerly the University of Abuja) to improve electricity supply for teaching, research, laboratories and other essential campus operations.

The project, part of Phase II of the Energising Education Programme, was commissioned on Wednesday by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.

It was delivered in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project.

The facility features a 3.3MW solar array with 3MW of AC output capacity and 2 megawatt-hours of battery storage to power critical loads after daylight hours.

It also includes 388 streetlights to enhance campus illumination and security.Tegbe, who described the university as an ideal setting to showcase Nigeria’s energy transition, noted that the plant supports learning, research, healthcare, technology and administration.

He pledged to expand coverage, including to hostels, within six months in response to requests from the Student Union Government and the Vice-Chancellor.

He urged the university community to protect the infrastructure from vandalism and announced ongoing efforts to maintain renewable energy assets through the Renewable Asset Management Company.

REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu said the Energising Education Programme has so far delivered renewable energy infrastructure to 22 federal universities and three affiliated teaching hospitals, deploying more than 100MW of clean energy.

He encouraged the university to use the facility as a research platform for renewable energy, battery storage, grid integration and energy management.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi described the project as a major boost to the institution’s academic mission.