Gombe State Launches Nigeria's First 620KW Hydropower-Solar Hybrid System to Boost Rural Electrification and Industrialization
Key Insights
Gombe State has launched a 620KW small hydropower-solar PV hybrid system at Balanga Dam, marking a significant step towards energy security and rural electrification.
Funded by the EU, GEF, and the Federal Government via REA, the project is implemented by UNIDO to stimulate local enterprise and green industrialization.
Hailed as Nigeria's first-of-its-kind hybrid clean energy deployment model for rural areas, the project components are scheduled for completion by early 2026.
This initiative underscores Gombe State's commitment to sustainable development and positions it to benefit from broader federal electrification packages.
Gombe State, Nigeria, has officially commissioned a 620-kilowatt (kW) small hydropower-solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid system at the Balanga Dam in Talasse, Balanga Local Government Area. This landmark initiative, inaugurated by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, marks a pivotal advancement in the state’s pursuit of energy security, rural electrification, and industrial development.
The project underscores Governor Yahaya’s administration’s commitment to infrastructural development, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. “This project is timely and strategic. It speaks directly to our vision of self-reliance, sustainability and inclusive growth,” Governor Yahaya stated. He emphasized that reliable power is foundational to modern development, predicting the system will transform lives, stimulate agricultural productivity, create employment opportunities, and elevate living standards across Balanga and surrounding communities.
Funding for this pioneering hybrid system is a collaborative effort involving the European Union (EU), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Nigerian Federal Government, channeled through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is responsible for the project’s implementation. This multi-partner approach highlights the international and national commitment to sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria.
The hybrid system ingeniously combines small hydropower generation with solar photovoltaic technology to ensure a consistent and reliable electricity supply. This integration is designed to bolster local enterprises, enhance living standards, and contribute directly to Nigeria’s national objectives for green industrialization. The Managing Director of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, lauded the initiative as a model for clean energy deployment in rural Nigeria, confirming that REA would finalize its component within a month. He noted the project's unique status as the first of its kind in Nigeria, with the solar PV component slated to commence within two weeks and UNIDO completing the small hydropower component by January 2026.
Ambassador Philbert Johnson, UNIDO Regional Director, highlighted the project’s substantial potential to boost agricultural output and drive broader economic development in Gombe State, affirming that Gombe is the first state in Nigeria to benefit from this specific initiative. Saidu Muhammed Fawu, the state’s Commissioner for Water, Environment and Forest Resources, reiterated the project’s expected role in driving sustainable development, boosting local economies, and solidifying Gombe State’s position as a leader in Nigeria’s energy transition.