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By Oluwaseun Ajayi
Unique Energy, a subsidiary of the Unique Group, has commissioned the 120-kilowatt peak Power solar PV mini-grid in Nyamanarr. The Gambia’s first solar green mini-grid electrification project brings clean, reliable, and metered renewable energy to the doorstep of the people of Nyamanarr for the first time in over 145 years.
With a population of over 6500 people, more than 200 households and businesses are expected to benefit from the D54 million (Over 1.12 million USD) project financed by the Unique Energy and Unique Solutions under the Unique Group of Companies with part grant from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE).
The support line also includes The Gambian government through the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and Gambia Investment & Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) demonstrating the theme of the inauguration, promoting energy for all through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
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“Unique Energy as part of its contractual and funding obligations, have invested over 43 million Dalasis over the past two years towards the infrastructure being inaugurated today consisting of a land size area of 4050 square meters donated by the village of Nyamanarr,” said CEO of the Unique Group, Mr. Papa Yusupha Njie.
The grid layout includes “a generation and distribution network of over 130 poles with GPS mapping and power lines covering the whole village, a 120kwp PV plant with 310 Panels, Inverter systems, 192 Batteries for storage with a combined capacity of 576 KWh providing electricity 24/7 right around the year and over 40 solar street lights across the village, house wiring for houses and businesses, system monitoring tools, prepaid single and 3 phase smart meters, first class billing and vending platforms,” added Njie.
By the projection of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, energy access in The Gambia stands around 40% countrywide (average 12% rural) and installed capacity is only 102MW, with more than 98.5% powered by fossil fuel (mainly HFO), resulting in one of the highest consumer tariffs – USD0.28/kWh in the West African region.
The Gambian government is seeking to implement a Green Mini-grids Enabling Environment Programme in order to expand energy access for 60% of the 1.91 million population in the country. In particular, the government seeks to convert and scale-up the current existing diesel-powered multi-functional platforms (MFPs) and other HFO power plants into Green (hybrid) Mini-Grids, in addition to other off-grid solutions.
According to Unique Energy, “the other equipment and infrastructure such as the office Sales and residential unit, first class smart fire detection and alarm system and the new access road leading to the plant, taking the total project and investment cost to over 54 million Dalasis in this first phase.”
The grand launching of the billing prepaid platform “”Lerral”” Energy on the Go” or “Lehri” as they say in Myanmar also took place during the commissioning.
Acting Executive Director, ECREEE, Mr. Bah FM Saho said, “Your Excellency, distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen, I do hope that this will be the beginning of the Gambia’s mini grids revolution and that we will continue the partnership in order to collectively ensure that we drive energy poverty out of our beloved country. Furthermore, I would like to sincerely congratulate the Project Promoter, Mr. Papa Yusupha Njie for endeavoring to use the grant funds for the intended purpose”.
Honourable Fafa Sanyang, the Minister of Energy and Petroleum representing The President Adama Barrow, stated that “It is therefore very clear that The Gambia has significant solar energy resources which can be deployed via solar PV plants and other renewable energy solutions. Thus, in accordance with the Roadmap (2021-2040), part of the contingency plans to ensure Universal Access in 2025 as indicated is through the increment of solar PV plants and to have 35% of Energy generation in country to be through renewables by 2030”.
Electricity availability has a direct impact on quality of education and as part the Unique Group’s corporate social responsibility agenda, a WIFI zone for Nyamanarr Lower Basic School was installed at no cost, a 40-inch TV with a satellite decoder was also donated to the school library, 3G and 4G android tablets, apple iPads, Electric Water dispenser, Electric Kettle, Electric Fridge, Deskjet printer and accessories, fans were also donated.
Mobile Medical Caravan
As part of the celebrations for the inauguration, Unique Foundation provided a mobile medical caravan with top of the range equipment offering free health diagnostics services such as Mammography (Breast Cancer Check-up)- Hepatitis B- Gynaecological and prenatal consultation- Ultrasound (Abdomen, uro-genital, gyneco-obstetrical)- X-ray- Glycaemia (Blood Sugar) to the people of Nyamanarr and the Basse Region. The successful event was done in partnership with Radiologie Mobile Zatifa, Africmed, Gambia Red Cross Society, Trust Bank and Access Bank.
“Unique Energy hopes that the inauguration of The Gambia’s first Green Solar Mini-grid plant will open doors for many more opportunities in promoting energy for all through public private partnerships including the creation of much needed jobs for our young people and impacting thousands of ordinary Gambians in taking advantage of clean renewable energy sources,” said Njie.
He added: “We hope the inauguration of The Gambia’s first Green Solar Mini-grid plant will open doors for many more opportunities in promoting energy for all through public private partnerships including the creation of much needed jobs for our young people and impacting thousands of ordinary Gambians in taking advantage of clean renewable energy sources. We take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, Adama Barrow and his entire government especially the ministry of Petroleum and Energy and his team under Honourable Fafa Sanyang for creating the enabling environment allowing companies like the Unique Group of Companies to leave a mark in the energy landscape and making us partners in development along the way”.
