The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Nigeria, Abba Aliyu, announced the positive progress of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up Project (DARES), a $750 million initiative funded by the World Bank. The project is designed to enhance electricity access for over 17.5 million Nigerians through the deployment of solar mini-grids and home systems, effectively replacing over 280,000 environmentally harmful generators and empowering local businesses in rural and peri-urban areas.

Aliyu detailed that construction milestones have been achieved at various project sites, with significant advancements in implementation timelines. Notably, Al Alfuttaim Nigeria Limited, one of the companies involved in executing the project, has successfully completed foundational stages for solar infrastructure deployment in multiple clusters. This marks a critical step towards achieving the project's goals of bridging the energy gap in Nigeria and fostering sustainable energy practices.

The DARES project follows the Nigeria Electrification Project, emphasizing the country's commitment to fostering renewable energy solutions. As the initiative progresses, it is expected to greatly enhance the quality of life for millions of citizens by providing reliable electricity and reducing dependency on diesel generators, thereby contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment in Nigeria.