Nigeria powers up Africa’s ‘largest off-grid solar hybrid’

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
3.5MWp of solar PV, 8.1MWh of battery energy storage and 2.4MW of backup generators will supply more than 55,000 students, 3,000 staff and nearly 3,000 streetlights at BUK. Image: METKA.

The latest project to be switched on in Nigeria’s solar electrification programme for universities is also thought to be the largest ‘hybrid’ plant of its kind on the African continent so far, inaugurated this week at Bayero University Kano (BUK).

Sister title Energy-Storage.news reported towards the beginning of August as the first megawatt-scale hybrid project went into action at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State. Nigerian vice president Yemi Osinbajo attended that ceremony, heralding the launch of the wider Energizing Education Programme (EEP), being delivered through the country’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA). Osinbajo said then that the programme would result in the decommissioning of “hundreds” of fossil fuel generators. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

In total, 37 universities and seven teaching hospitals will benefit. In addition, the programme includes other initiatives such as encouraging young women into STEM education and jobs, while the latest project at BUK also includes the further benefit of powering hundreds of local street lights.

Phase 1 of EEP, funded by the Nigerian government, will help nine universities and a teaching hospital. Phases 2 and 3 are set to be funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank respectively.

See here for the full story as initially published by sister title Energy-Storage.news

Read Next

Premium
June 24, 2026
Patrizio Donati, co-founder, Terrawatt, talks about Italy's €23 billion FER X scheme and its impact on renewable energy deployment.
June 23, 2026
Australia's ACAP was ranked first globally for photovoltaics research quality in 2025 for the second consecutive year.
June 22, 2026
The Lego Group has started construction of a 116MW solar park in Billund, which is expected to become its “largest solar project to date.”
Premium
June 22, 2026
Europe’s post-2022 solar surge has slowed, prompting a closer look at the structural bottlenecks that must be addressed to sustain the continent’s energy transition.
June 22, 2026
Trina Solar has secured an order from a global distributed energy customer for its perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem solar modules.
June 19, 2026
Origis has secured a US$900 million package, which consists of US$650 million in credit facilities and a US$250 million LoC facility.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye