Talasse opens a solar mini-grid after 17 years without grid access
A 1-megawatt solar mini-grid opened on 17 October in Talasse, in Nigeria’s Gombe State, after 17 years without national-grid access. Thousands of households and businesses are expected to benefit. Battery storage and a local distribution network accompany the plant. The state plans agricultural-processing equipment, while officials urge residents to protect the new infrastructure against theft and damage.
Economics & Markets··Evening
A new supply after a long disconnection
Talasse, in the Balanga Local Government Area of Nigeria’s Gombe State, commissioned a 1-megawatt solar mini-grid on 17 October. The community had spent more than 17 years without a national-grid connection. Thousands of households and businesses are expected to benefit from the facility. Governor Muhammadu Yahaya said the long absence of grid access had restricted economic activity and forced residents to depend on expensive alternative energy sources.[1], [2]
The system includes 2.4 megawatt-hours of battery storage, an 11-kilovolt distribution network and smart prepaid meters. Developer Mids Dynamics Limited’s managing director, Khalid Mohammed, said it was designed to serve more than 6,000 households and businesses. He described a design life of 25 years and estimated annual output of more than 950 megawatt-hours over that period. These are the developer’s stated design figures.[2]
Processing equipment is planned alongside electricity
The state plans productive-use equipment to accompany rural electrification. Yahaya listed rice mills, flour-grinding machines and oil-processing equipment among the planned additions. The aim is to expand agricultural processing, lower production costs and create work. Independent Nigeria also reported electric motorcycles among the governor’s plans. Officials emphasized the potential benefits for farmers, traders, artisans and young people seeking opportunities within their communities.[1], [2]
Yahaya said the wider state rural electrification programme was expected to improve access for 80 communities. He put completion of continuing projects in Filiya and Gelengu at 90 per cent. At Talasse, the governor presented the new facility as part of the effort to widen reliable and affordable rural electricity access.[1]
Residents are asked to protect the infrastructure
Officials called for maintenance and protection against vandalism, theft and illegal connections. The power minister said the infrastructure had been built for residents and future generations and warned that destruction or misuse could undermine the investment. Balanga Local Government chairman Ibrahim Salihu urged people to use the electricity for businesses, education, healthcare and other productive activity. He also asked residents to safeguard the facility as part of improving rural livelihoods.[1], [2]
The governor thanked the federal government, the Rural Electrification Agency, the World Bank, technical partners and the Talasse community for contributing to the project.[1]
