EU invests €37m to boost solar, hydropower projects in Nigeria

The European Union (EU) has disclosed plans to invest €37 million to boost the solar and hydropower sectors in Nigeria.

Ambassador Samuela Isopi, the EU Head of Mission to Nigeria, made this known on Friday in Abuja when she visited the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu.

Isopi said the intervention program in the power sector would prioritize “small hydropower and solar energy for health care facilities” and also electrify rural areas through isolated and interconnected mini-grids.

The envoy clarified that the money was apart from the about 200 million Euro grants invested in the sector since 2008.

Isopi also used the opportunity to invite the minister to the upcoming inauguration of two projects funded by the EU and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

The Minister, who received the ambassador in the company of his Chief Technical Advisor, Mr. Adedayo Olowoniyi, expressed appreciation to the EU for the support it has been giving to the sector.

Adelabu said that more support was needed to address the enormous challenges in the sector.

He said that the issue of liquidity was the main problem that the government was trying its best to resolve.