Two Ministries Exit National Power Grid To Deploy Solar Project

Two Federal Ministries have exited the national power grid, and set to deploy power from solar.

Gatekeepers News reports that the ministries of Works and Housing and Environment have moved away from receiving power supply from the national electricity grid.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, announced this during the inauguration of a 1.5 megawatts solar micro-grid system, at the Mabushi, Abuja headquarters of his ministry.

The Ministries of Environment, Works and Housing are all headquartered in Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory.

Fashola said the solar power project was approved by the Federal Executive Council on March 20, 2019 at the time when the Federal Ministry of Power was part of the works and housing ministry.

He said, “I express our ministry’s appreciation to members of the Federal Executive Council who voted to entrust our ministry with this project.

“What we have delivered, based on the mandate of the Federal Executive Council, is a 1.52MW solar system that will provide uninterrupted power supply to five blocks housing the Ministry of Works and Housing and Ministry of Environment and Lands.

“It would see to the reduction of average diesel consumption from 764,248 litres per annum to 166,825 litres per annum and cost saving of N270.95m over 20 years.

“It will contribute towards the reduction of government operational expenses and reduction of recurrent expenditure.”

He added that the project employed 382 artisans and 176 skilled workers throughout its duration, as this was in fulfilment of the government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of creating jobs.