• Niger State plans a 100-MW solar power plant with an estimated cost of $163 million.
• The Islamic Development Bank supports the project’s financial and technical structuring.
• The project targets electricity shortages in underserved areas of central-north Nigeria.

Nigeria continues to face structural challenges in electricity access, while authorities seek to diversify power generation to address insufficient supply and persistent regional disparities.

Against this backdrop, Niger State, located in central-north Nigeria, announced on Tuesday, January 27, that it is working with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) on a 100-megawatt solar power project. Nigerian media reported that the project carries an estimated budget of $163 million.

The project plans the construction of a photovoltaic power plant covering about 200 hectares. Niger State authorities said the facility aims to strengthen electricity supply across several areas that face limited access to reliable power.

Officials said the plant would support local energy needs in zones that remain vulnerable to grid instability and supply gaps.

Bologi Ibrahim, chief press secretary to the state governor, said the project remains in a preparatory phase. He said this stage includes technical feasibility studies as well as environmental and social impact assessments required before any final construction decision.

Authorities did not disclose a timeline for completing these preliminary studies.

The Islamic Development Bank, a Saudi Arabia-based multilateral financial institution, supports the project’s financial and technical structuring. Stakeholders have not announced a construction start date.

In Niger State, as in most of Nigeria, electricity supply relies mainly on the national grid. The grid draws power largely from gas-fired thermal plants and hydropower facilities, according to data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

However, generation capacity continues to fall short of demand. This imbalance causes frequent outages and forces households and businesses to depend heavily on private diesel and petrol generators.

World Bank data showed that 61.2% of Nigeria’s population had access to electricity in 2023. The data also highlighted strong territorial disparities, with significantly lower access rates in rural and peri-urban areas.

These constraints affect household consumption, mechanized agricultural activities, small business operations, and the delivery of essential public services, including healthcare and education.

This article was initially published in French by Abdel-Latif Boureima

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM