The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, has said steady progress is being recorded under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up Project, with key construction milestones already achieved across several project sites.
The DARES project is a $750m World Bank initiative in Nigeria designed to provide new or improved electricity access to over 17.5 million people. Launched to succeed the Nigeria Electrification Project, it aims to bridge the energy gap by deploying solar mini-grids and home systems, replacing over 280,000 polluting generators, and supporting rural and peri-urban businesses.
In a statement on Tuesday, Aliyu disclosed that work under the DARES Project was advancing in line with implementation timelines, particularly at locations being handled by a company, Al Alfuttaim Nigeria Limited, where foundational stages for solar infrastructure deployment have been completed in multiple clusters.
According to him, the contractor has successfully completed the casting of mounting support bases in four out of its ten project locations, marking a critical stage in the development of decentralised renewable energy systems. He described the casting of mounting support bases as an important foundation step that moves the affected sites closer to full solar infrastructure deployment.
Providing a breakdown of progress across the benefiting communities, the REA boss said that in Mekiya, located in the Gabasawa Local Government Area of Kano State, mounting support bases had been completed across seven clusters.
He added that in Dagar, also within Gabasawa LGA, four clusters had been completed, while Ballagaza, still in Gabasawa LGA, had seen eight clusters fully cast and completed.
Aliyu further stated that in Maraya Rogo, Warawa Local Government Area, three clusters had reached completion. He noted that the milestones reflected disciplined execution and sustained momentum under the DARES project, which is designed to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity in underserved communities through decentralised renewable energy solutions.
“These milestones reflect disciplined execution and sustained momentum. Each completed cluster strengthens the groundwork for reliable, decentralised renewable energy systems that will serve households, businesses, and productive users within these communities,” Aliyu said.
The REA MD emphasised that the agency remained focused on delivery, quality, and long-term sustainability as implementation continued across project sites. “We at the REA remain focused on delivery, quality, and long-term sustainability as the DARES Project continues to take shape,” he added.
The DARES Project forms part of ongoing efforts by the agency to deepen electricity access in rural and semi-urban areas, reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-based power sources, and support economic activities through clean energy infrastructure.
With mounting support bases now completed in several clusters, the next phases are expected to include the installation of solar panels and associated infrastructure, paving the way for improved power supply to households, small businesses, and other productive users in the benefiting communities.
