Residents of a community in Gombe State have gained access to electricity after years without reliable power, following the commissioning of a solar mini-grid project by the Federal Government.

The project, located in Tallasse, Balanga Local Government Area, was commissioned on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

It forms part of efforts to expand electricity access in underserved communities through renewable energy.

The facility has a generation capacity of one megawatt and is equipped with a 2.4-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system designed to improve the reliability of electricity supply.

The commissioning also marked the groundbreaking for four additional interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 16 megawatts across Dukku, Bajoga, Kumo and Kaltungo communities in Gombe State.

Solar project to serve more than 6,000 connections
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said the Tallasse project serves 6,028 connections.

These include 5,929 residential connections, 84 commercial connections and 15 dedicated connections for productive economic activities.

The project is designed to provide more than household lighting.

It includes equipment intended to help residents use electricity for transportation, agricultural processing and small businesses.

Among the equipment deployed are electric tricycles, an electric groundnut oil processing plant, a modular electric rice mill and multi-flour electric grinding machines.

The approach is intended to help farmers and traders process goods closer to their communities, reduce some operating costs and create opportunities for local enterprises.

Four additional power projects planned
The Federal Government’s announcement also covered the planned development of four interconnected mini-grid projects in Dukku, Bajoga, Kumo and Kaltungo.

Together, the projects are expected to add 16 megawatts of generating capacity.

Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya described the initiative as the result of cooperation between the state government and the Rural Electrification Agency.

He said reliable electricity combined with agricultural processing equipment could support economic activity in rural communities, particularly in areas where farming is a major source of livelihood.

Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe said the projects formed part of the Federal Government’s wider strategy to expand electricity access through renewable energy alongside conventional grid infrastructure.

Government targets electricity access and economic activity
The Rural Electrification Agency said the project reflects a shift towards measuring the economic benefits of electricity access, rather than focusing only on the number of connections or megawatts installed.

Reliable power can help businesses extend operating hours, preserve perishable goods, process agricultural products and reduce dependence on petrol and diesel generators.

However, the long-term impact will depend on consistent electricity supply, effective maintenance, affordable tariffs and the ability of residents and businesses to make productive use of the infrastructure.

The commissioning in Tallasse represents one part of a wider effort to address Nigeria’s electricity access challenges through decentralised power systems.

With additional mini-grid projects planned across Gombe State, attention will now turn to completing the new facilities and ensuring that the infrastructure delivers reliable electricity and lasting benefits to the communities it is intended to serve.