By: ESI Africa

The REA confirmed the “landmark” hybrid clean energy project at Balanga Dam in Gombe State is aiming to generate 620 kilowatts peak (kWp) of renewable electricity for the surrounding rural communities.

The project, implemented in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the European Union Commission, marks the “first of its kind in Nigeria” to combine small-scale hydropower and solar energy for decentralised power delivery, said the REA.

Constructed in the 1980s, Balanga Dam spans approximately 11,000 square metres and will now be repurposed as a clean energy asset. 

According to the REA, the 300kW solar component is expected to be commissioned within six weeks, while the 320kW small hydropower installation is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2026. 

Together, they will provide a total of 620kW of off-grid electricity to the area.

Project a ‘major milestone’

The Balanga hybrid solar–hydropower project is designed to power households and local businesses, promote agricultural productivity through the use of energy-efficient equipment and support social inclusion initiatives in the region.

The Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya lauded the project as a “major milestone in the state’s push for energy security and rural electrification.”

REA’s Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, described the initiative as a “model for clean energy deployment in rural parts of Nigeria.”

UNIDO regional director Philbert Johnson said the project would boost agricultural productivity and accelerate economic development in the region.

Solar-hydro project to help boost electricity access challenges in Nigeria

Nigeria continues to face serious challenges in extending electricity access, particularly in rural areas. 

According to the World Bank’s 2023 Tracking SDG7 report, only 55.4% of Nigeria’s population had access to electricity as of 2021, with access in rural areas significantly lower. The national grid is plagued by reliability issues, leaving many communities dependent on diesel generators or entirely unserved.

The REA, backed by international partners, said it is working to scale decentralised renewable energy systems across Nigeria as part of a broader strategy to meet the country’s energy access and climate goals. 

The Balanga Dam initiative aligns with the agency’s push to integrate productive-use technologies and increase energy reliability in especially rural communities.