Sahara Power Group, Ikeja Electric, Darway Coast commissioned 500 KW Interconnected Minigrid (IMG)

Ibaragun and Robinyan Communities in Ogun state Celebrate Landmark Interconnected Minigrid, Powering over 5,000 Peri-Urban Residents

Nigeria – March 6, 2025 — 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 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.

Sahara Power Group Managing Director, Anthony Youdeowei

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.

Henry Ureh, CEO/Managing Director, Darway Coast Nigeria Limited

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

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

Chief Executive Officer of Ikeja Electric, Mrs Folake Soetan

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.

Ikoku Okeke, RMI Managing Director of Global South and Catalytic Capital programs

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.

For media inquiries please contact: Henry Ureh, CEO/ Managing Director, Darway Coast henry.ureh@darwaycoast.com Kingsley Okotie, Head Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric kokotie@ikejaelectric.com Benson Kibiti, Sr. Strategic Communications Manager, RMI bkibiti@rmi.org or RMI’s media team media@rmi.org Annette Mutuku, Director Communications & Advocacy, GEAPP annette.mutuku@energyalliance.org

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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, lowcarbon 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.

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

website: www.ikejaelectric.com,
X: @ikejaelectric
IG: @ikejaelectricplc
Linkedin: Ikeja Electric

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.

About GEAPP

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) is an alliance of
philanthropy, governments in emerging and developed economies, and technology,
policy, and financing partners. Our common mission is to enable LMIC’s 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 four gigatons
of future carbon emissions, expand clean energy access to one billion people, and
enable 150 million new jobs. With philanthropic partners, 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
LinkedIn.