ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy Provides Off-Grid Solar Power Facility in BUK

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) has provided a state-of-the-art off-grid solar facility and a grant of USD 59,733.74 to the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering of Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

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The official inauguration of the facility took place on Friday, May 31st, 2024, at the premises of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, BUK.

In his remarks, the Hon. Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Sediko Douka, said the project was realized with the support of the ECOWAS Special Intervention Fund (ESIF), implemented by ECREEE. The objective of the fund is to increase access to sustainable energy services by ECOWAS community citizens, support small and medium-sized renewable energy and efficiency (RE&EE) projects in rural and urban areas of its member countries.

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He added that the initiative is part of the tireless efforts of ECOWAS towards improving energy accessibility and affordability within its region. He hoped that the project would address the electricity supply to the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, the university community, and bring about a clean, affordable, and sustainable alternative to the current unreliable system.

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Also speaking, the Hon. Commissioner for Internal Services of the ECOWAS Commission, Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, described the project as a culmination of hard work by the university. He revealed that the knowledge gained from the project would help build the capabilities of the Department to manage and pave the way for greater adoption of renewable energy technologies to meet growing energy demands.

He further revealed that the Commission is supporting the establishment of the $75 million ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility (EREEEF), which would provide grants and loans to renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across the region. He encouraged project proposals from BUK and wished the Management of the University a successful implementation of the grid solar project.

Representing the Hon. Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo A. Adelabo, the Assistant Director, Energy Ministry, also graced the occasion.