Katsina Govt. installs 30 megawatts solar electricity — Official
By Zubairu Idris
The Katsina State Government said it has so far installed about 30 megawatts of solar to provide electricity in some establishments to boost effective service delivery
Dr Hafiz Ibrahim-Ahmed, the Special Adviser to Gov. Dikko Radda on Power and Energy, stated this in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Katsina.
“Based on the energy assessment that we did, Katana State requires about 70 megawatts and above to be able to supply electricity to the entire communities in the state.
“So, we are not halfway there, but when we came in, it was zero, but we’ve taken it to 30 in less than two-and-a-half years.
“So, that is to show you the commitment, by the end of this administration, God’s willing, and in the next four years, we’ll be able to get to 70 per cent,” he assured.
He explained that the national grid and diesel powered street lightening systems have been replaced with solar powered lightening systems across the state.
“This is to cut down on carbon emission and then savings as well, because a lot was spent on diesel consumption.
“Aside that, if you go to the state secretariat, the government house, the general hospitals, among others, you will see how solar powered systems have replaced diesel powered generators,” Ibrahim-Ahmed said
He stated that the Governor had approved the procurement and installation of 20.1 megawatts to be deployed to 11 critical facilities.
“It was realised that 93 per cent of the total cost of electricity for government facilities was incurred by 11 critical facilities out of around 209.
“Government pays over N300 million on electricity bills, in addition to the cost of diesel,” he said.
Ibrahim-Ahmed said that the government had selected at least one functional Primary Health Facility in each of the 361 political wards across the state to enjoy deployment of the renewable energy to boost healthcare service delivery at grassroots.
He revealed that the governor also approved solar installation at some higher institutions, like Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic.
According to him, same had also been approved in some boarding schools to boost teaching and learning as well as enhance security in those institutions.
