From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Amidst heightened security challenges in the country, the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, has said that the Federal Government is set to build a 2.5 megawatts hybrid solar power plant at the Nigerian Defence Academy, (NDA), Kaduna to enhance security at the academy.
Aliyu, who was represented by the Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, stated this at the 40th National Solar Energy Forum (NACEF 2022), in Kaduna.
The two days event which held between August 29 and 30 was organised by the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria (SESN) in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and National Energy Commission (NEC).
The minister, alongside the Commandant of NDA, Major General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf, the Managing Director of REA, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, two Executive Directors of REA, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare, Engineer Barka Sajou, amongst others, were conferred with honorary fellowship of SESN award at the event. Aliyu, while lauding the organisers of the event said that the theme: “The Role Of Green Energy Technologies in National Security, Power Generation and Economic Sustainability”, was timely and necessary. While noting that reliable and sustainable energy was key in the fight against insecurity in the country, the minister maintained that “meetings of this nature, with extensive and robust discussions, will always bring out desirable outcome that can move solar energy penetration in Nigeria forward”.