Robinyan Community Celebrates Landmark Interconnected Minigrid, Powering over 5,000 Peri-Urban Residents

Lagos, Nigeria – March 6, 2025 – Today, in a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s energy sector, Sahara Power Group, Ikeja Electric and Darway Coast, with technical support from RMI (founded as Rocky Mountain Institute) and funding from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), commissioned the 500 kW Robinyo interconnected minigrid (IMG) in Robinyan, Ogun State. This innovative solution combines grid supply with distributed energy resources from solar PV and battery storage to deliver reliable, clean, and cost-effective power, addressing the community’s long-standing energy deficit and unlocking a pathway to sustainable economic development.

The solution follows years of frequent power outages which required Robinyan residents and businesses to commit huge resources to alternative power solutions via petrol and diesel generators that affected environmental sustainability. In keeping with ongoing efforts to promote energy security and boost economic activities, Sahara Power Group, working through its affiliate Ikeja Electric, collaborated with Darway Coast and community representatives to enter into an agreement in 2022 to initiate the IMG project. Darway Coast led the development, design, and construction of the generation assets, including the upgrade and expansion of the existing distribution network, while Ikeja Electric provided vital technical guidance and facilitated crucial community engagement.

“Making a difference through reliable, accessible and clean energy solutions remains a critical quest for Sahara Power and we are delighted this has come to fruition. We look forward to this project translating to enhanced economic prosperity for Robinyan residents,” said Anthony Youdeowei, Managing Director, Sahara Power Group.

“At Darway Coast, we believe that access to sustainable and reliable energy is the foundation for community empowerment and economic growth. Partnering on the Robinyan minigrid project allows us to demonstrate our commitment to innovative, environmentally responsible energy solutions that directly benefit local residents and businesses. This project is a testament to the power of collaboration in transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape,” said Henry Ureh, CEO/Managing Director, Darway Coast Nigeria Limited.

The newly commissioned IMG features a 500-kW solar PV array, 625 kWh of battery storage, a 500kVA backup generator, and major distribution network grid retrofits and expansion, ensuring a consistent and dependable power supply for homes, businesses, and public institutions.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ikeja Electric, Mrs Folake Soetan expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, communities and agencies of government at all levels that provided guidance and support to this project.

“While this is Ikeja Electric’s first commissioning of distributed energy solutions, we are working with other developers and will be commissioning more projects on the back of this.” Mrs. Soetan noted.

The project’s core generation assets were made possible through philanthropic grants from GEAPP, with RMI, an implementing partner, providing crucial technical assistance throughout the design and implementation phases.

“This project represents a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering reliable and sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria,” said Ije Ikoku Okeke, RMI Managing Director of Global South and Catalytic Capital programs. “Through such strategic partnerships, we’re demonstrating that distributed energy resources can complement traditional grid infrastructure to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable power.”

The Robinyan IMG will serve over 1,400 connections, directly benefiting more than 5,000 residents. Generating approximately 545,000 kWh annually, the project will displace 420 metric tons of carbon emissions each year from diesel generators, fostering a cleaner environment. The reliable energy supply will enhance educational opportunities, improve public health services, and attract new businesses, driving economic prosperity.

“This project showcases radical collaboration and an innovative business model that integrates clean energy with the grid, improving supply quality and reducing reliance on costly fossil fuels,” said Fauzia Okediji, Manager, Utility Innovation at GEAPP. “By improving access to reliable, sustainable energy, the project is empowering communities, impacting livelihoods. This model informs the DARES program’s strategy to accelerate the mission to electrify 300 million people across Africa.”

The IMG showcases the potential of utility-enabled distributed energy resources to address energy reliability gaps, particularly in peri-urban areas with constrained grid infrastructure. Scaling this model is essential for expanding energy access across Nigeria and Africa.
 

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About Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) is an alliance of philanthropy, governments, technology, policy, and financing partners. Our common mission is to enable emerging and developed economies to shift to a clean energy, pro-growth model that accelerates universal energy access and inclusive economic growth while supporting the global community to meet critical climate goals during the next decade. As an Alliance, we aim to reduce 4 gigatons of future carbon emissions, expand clean energy access to one billion people, and enable 150 million new jobs. With philanthropic partners the IKEA Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation and Bezos Earth Fund, GEAPP works to build the enabling environment, capacity, and market conditions for private sector solutions, catalyze new business models through innovation and entrepreneurship, and deploy high-risk capital to encourage private sector solutions and assist just transition solutions. For more information, please visit www.energyalliance.org and follow us on Twitter at @EnergyAlliance.

Media Contact:

Annette Mutuku, Director Communications & Advocacy (GEAPP), annette.mutuku@energyalliance.org

About Sahara Power Group

Sahara Power Group (SPG) stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability in the energy sector, serving as the largest privately owned vertically integrated power company in Africa. With a rich legacy of excellence and a forward-looking vision, SPG is dedicated to driving positive change, and delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions to communities across the region. At the heart of SPG’s operations lies a commitment to expand its generation capacity to exceed 5,000MW by 2026. This ambitious goal underscores SPG’s dedication to meeting the growing energy needs of Africa while simultaneously advancing the principles of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

About Darway Coast

Darway Coast Nigeria Limited is a leading renewable energy solutions provider committed to transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape through innovative and sustainable mini-grid solutions. With extensive expertise in project development, design, and construction, Darway Coast spearheads the deployment of integrated energy systems that combine solar PV, energy storage, and grid optimization to deliver reliable, affordable, and clean power to underserved communities.

Dedicated to excellence and environmental stewardship, Darway Coast partners with industry leaders and local stakeholders to upgrade and expand critical energy infrastructure. Its holistic approach not only enhances energy security but also drives socio-economic development by powering homes, businesses, and public institutions. Recognized for its technical prowess and customer-centric model, Darway Coast is at the forefront of accelerating Nigeria’s transition to a resilient, low-carbon future.

Through its commitment to innovation and quality, Darway Coast continues to play a pivotal role in electrifying communities, fostering sustainable growth, and contributing to national efforts to meet climate and development goals.

Media Contact:

Henry Ureh, CEO/ Managing Directors henry.ureh@darwaycoast.com

About Ikeja Electric

Ikeja Electric (IE), Nigeria’s leading technology-driven power distribution company, remains committed to delivering reliable and efficient electricity to its customers. Driven by innovation and excellence, IE stands as the preferred energy provider wherever power is consumed. At Ikeja Electric, the customer is king, and we are dedicated to providing an unmatched experience at every touchpoint, consistently meeting and exceeding expectations. Our commitment goes beyond electricity supply, it is about building trust, maintaining professionalism, and fostering a culture of continuous growth and improvement. Strategically positioned, Ikeja Electric supplies power to key industrial hubs and residential communities across Lagos and parts of Ogun State. With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, we remain dedicated to enhancing the lives and businesses within our network, ensuring a brighter future powered by reliable energy.

Ikeja Electric…. bringing energy to life responsibly.

Media Contact:

Kingsley Okotie, Head Corporate Communications kokotie@ikejaelectric.com

About RMI

RMI, founded in 1982 as Rocky Mountain Institute, is an independent nonprofit that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut climate pollution by at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; Abuja, Nigeria; and Beijing. Find more information at www.rmi.org and follow us on LinkedIn @RMI.

Benson Kibiti, Sr. Strategic Communications Manager, bkibiti@rmi.org