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The Enugu State Government has thrown its weight behind a proposed $220 million (about N310 billion) 100-megawatt solar power programme designed to improve electricity supply to homes, businesses and communities across the state.
The project, known as the Solar Hybrid Interconnected Networks for Enugu (SHINE), is being promoted by Eauxwell Nigeria Limited and is expected to be developed in phases over three years.
The proposal represents the first major investment opportunity being actively pursued through the state’s Climate and Development Investment Platform (CDIP), established to connect investors with government institutions and speed up climate-related development projects.
At a meeting with Eauxwell at the Government House, Enugu, on Monday, October 5, 2026, Governor Peter Mbah welcomed the proposal but stressed that the project must deliver electricity at affordable rates while ensuring that investors can recover their costs.
The governor also called for faster implementation of the project, promising the state government’s support in resolving issues that could delay its delivery.
Under the proposal, Eauxwell plans to develop a number of solar hybrid plants across Enugu, starting with clusters in peri-urban areas connected to the existing electricity distribution network.
The company has identified the Eha-Amufu and Owo cluster as the first project, with plans to build a 10MW solar plant equipped with battery storage.
According to the company, the facility will supply electricity to about 30 communities located along the two feeders between Eha-Amufu and Owo.
Eauxwell said the first plant, which has already been designed to the pre-construction stage, would cost about $22 million, or approximately N31 billion.
The financing plan for each plant is expected to combine equity, loans and grant funding through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme at the REA, Olufemi Akinyelure, who joined the meeting virtually, explained the structure and implementation process of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme.
The meeting also focused on electricity tariffs, commercial arrangements, regulatory approvals, land requirements and other conditions that must be met before construction can begin.
Governor Mbah said while the state welcomed private investment in the power sector, the projects must operate within a competitive electricity market and provide value to consumers.
Affordability was a major issue during the discussions, with the governor examining Eauxwell’s proposed tariff assumptions and financial model.
He said the need for investors to recover their legitimate costs must be balanced with the ability of households and businesses to pay for electricity.
Eauxwell acknowledged the concern, noting that the final tariff would be determined in consultation with the relevant electricity regulators.
The proposed solar programme is expected to use battery storage to provide more reliable electricity and reduce some of the challenges associated with intermittent solar generation.
If completed as planned, the 100MW programme could provide additional power for homes, shops, agricultural processing businesses and other productive activities across the state.
The company said the Eha-Amufu and Owo project would serve as the first cluster, with additional solar plants expected to be developed in other parts of Enugu under subsequent phases of the programme.
The meeting also considered the separate Aninri electrification project, which the state government said it was working to move into the construction phase in the coming weeks.
The engagement was coordinated by Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, Coordinator of the CDIP and Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Policy and Sustainable Development.
The meeting brought together the Secretary to the State Government, who chairs the CDIP Steering Committee, as well as the Commissioners for Environment and Climate Change, Trade and Investment, and Lands.
Also in attendance were the governor’s advisers on Project Delivery and Power, alongside relevant electricity regulators and other officials.
The state government said the broad representation was intended to ensure that regulatory, land, investment and community-related issues affecting the project could be addressed without unnecessary delays.
The next stage is expected to involve the conclusion of commercial agreements, regulatory approvals, land arrangements and financing conditions before construction begins.
For Enugu residents and businesses, the proposed programme could provide another source of electricity and reduce dependence on the conventional power supply system, particularly in communities covered by the planned solar clusters.
