| By: Francis Onyemachi
The Rural Electrification Agency says it has deployed artificial intelligence (AI)-powered planning and monitoring systems to map more than 750,000 communities across Nigeria as part of efforts to improve rural electrification.
The agency disclosed this on Tuesday at the Solar & Storage Live Nigeria Conference hosted by the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), where policymakers, investors, manufacturers and renewable energy developers discussed opportunities in solar power, battery storage and other clean energy technologies.
Speaking at the event, Abba Aliyu, managing director and chief executive officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, said the AI-powered platform enables the government to determine the most suitable electricity solution for each community.
“REA has deployed AI-enabled planning and monitoring systems to map more than 750,000 communities across the country, enabling the government to identify the most suitable electrification solution for each location, whether through mini grids, solar home systems or conventional grid extension,” Aliyu said.
He added that the agency is also deploying AI-enabled smart meters and central monitoring systems to improve the efficiency and performance of mini grids while strengthening transparency and accountability in project implementation.
Aliyu described battery storage as the next major growth area in Nigeria’s electricity sector and urged investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities as the country expands renewable energy deployment.
According to him, intervention programmes such as the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) initiative and the upcoming Desert to Power programme are helping to reduce investment risks and attract more private capital into Nigeria’s renewable energy market.
He also said engagements with state governments have strengthened support for renewable energy investments through faster land acquisition, better policy alignment and investment promotion efforts.
Also speaking at the conference, the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) called for increased investment, closer collaboration among industry stakeholders and sustained government support to accelerate the country’s transition to clean energy and expand access to affordable electricity.
Ayo Ademilua, president of REAN and chief executive officer of A4&T Power Solutions, said the conference was designed to expose local industry players to global innovations while attracting more investment into Nigeria’s growing renewable energy sector.
He said Nigeria must fully harness its abundant renewable energy resources, including solar, hydro, wind and biomass, to improve electricity supply and diversify the country’s energy mix.
Ademilua also rejected the notion that renewable energy is too expensive, saying advances in technology and wider adoption have significantly reduced the cost of solar solutions over the past decade.
“Renewable energy should not be viewed from the perspective of initial cost alone. When you invest in renewable energy, you are investing in assets that serve you for many years, unlike fossil fuels where you continue to spend on fuel,” he said.
