A Renewable Energy Initiative Transforms Life in the Niger Delta
A renewable energy firm, Darway Coast Ltd, has made a significant investment of $532,828 million to implement a solar hybrid mini grid project. This initiative aims to provide reliable and affordable electricity to several areas within the Niger Delta region. The project has received crucial support from All On, an impact investing company that provided the necessary grant.
The Communications Lead at All On, Toun Odetola, shared insights with newsmen about the project’s progress. She mentioned that the project is currently in its final stages of installation and is expected to bring transformative changes to the communities it serves. These changes include improved livelihoods, increased economic activity, and enhanced essential services for the riverine communities.
Residents of Akeddei Community in Bayelsa State are already seeing positive signs as the project moves forward. The community is witnessing a renewed sense of hope as work on the mini grid progresses steadily. Once completed, the project will deliver dependable and affordable electricity to the area, which has long been a distant dream for many.
Powered by a $532,828 grant from All On, an independent, non-profit organization, the project has now reached the final phase of installation. Odetola highlighted that the project is not just about infrastructure; it represents a broader vision of economic revival, improved living standards, and renewed community development.
The project marks the second phase of a larger electrification initiative in the Niger Delta. It follows the success of a pilot project in nearby Oweikorogha, where an 80kWp minigrid exceeded its initial targets by delivering electricity to 451 homes, businesses, and healthcare facilities. This success demonstrated the tangible impact of decentralized renewable energy solutions in underserved communities.
Daily Trust reported that the arrival of stable power in Oweikorogha significantly reshaped daily life in the community. Businesses extended their operating hours, households reduced their reliance on diesel and petrol generators, and public institutions such as schools and health centers began functioning more efficiently.
The Akeddei project is designed to operate on a larger scale compared to the pilot project in Oweikorogha. Once fully operational, it is expected to provide electricity connections to approximately 1,058 households.
Odetola emphasized that the objective of the Akeddei project, like many of All On’s investments, goes beyond installing energy infrastructure. It focuses on creating sustainable change and long-term benefits for the community.
For Darway Coast Ltd, the company responsible for implementing the project, this initiative reflects a long-term commitment to delivering reliable and affordable electricity in rural communities. The CEO of the company, Henry Ureh, stated that the project aligns with the organization’s broader mission to support economic development while protecting the interests of customers and stakeholders.
Ureh added, “As a company, we are committed to delivering affordable, reliable electricity that drives economic growth. We are confident that the people of Akeddei will experience measurable improvements in their quality of life, unlocking new economic opportunities for the community.”
Key Highlights of the Project
- Investment and Support: The project was funded by a $532,828 million grant from All On, an impact investing company.
- Community Impact: The project is expected to transform livelihoods, stimulate economic activity, and improve essential services in the riverine communities.
- Project Phases: The Akeddei project is the second phase of a broader electrification initiative in the Niger Delta, following the success of a pilot project in Oweikorogha.
- Expected Outcomes: Once completed, the project will provide electricity to approximately 1,058 households in Akeddei.
- Sustainability Focus: The initiative emphasizes long-term benefits for the community, including economic development and improved living standards.
