Netherlands Embassy Provides Solar Energy Mini-Grid To Bayelsa Community

The Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria has provided solar min-grid for an uninterrupted power supply to Kalaba Community in Bayelsa State.

In a press release issued on the subject, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) said it implemented the project with technical support from Community Research and Development Centre (CREDC) in the establishment of the project.

The 8.5 kw power project was completed and commissioned recently by a representative of Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Barrister Nosa Tokunbor.

The solar mini-grid station has been channeled to supply electricity to houses in the community, the resuscitated borehole that was hitherto dysfunctional, provision of pumping machine powered by solar, and extension of solar light to the Community Health Centre.

Over 30 households and a population of about 3,000 people are benefitting from the Photovoltaic systems as well as the community health centre, water supply and solar lights receiving power supply from the solar mini-grid.

Barr. Tokunbor, charged the beneficiaries to jealously protect and properly manage the solar-mini grid system so as to enjoy the maximum benefits especially by children who need the light source to read their books at nighttime and also enhancing women’s cooking during the nightfall.

Dr Ojo commended the Netherlands Embassy and the Kalaba community and stated that the project was in line with the Paris Agreement of 2015 to reduce carbon emissions released into the atmosphere and the urgency for energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources.