Residents of Tallasse and other parts of Balanga Local Government Area in Gombe State are set to experience a major change after 17 years without electricity, following the commissioning of a solar mini-grid by the Federal Government.
The project, delivered through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in partnership with the Gombe State Government and a private developer, features a 1-megawatt solar mini-grid supported by a 2.4-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system.
The commissioning also marked the flag-off of a 16MW network of four interconnected solar mini-grids planned for Dukku, Bajoga, Kumo and Kaltungo communities.
Beyond providing electricity to homes, the projects are expected to support farmers, traders and small businesses by improving access to reliable power and reducing dependence on expensive alternatives.
According to the project details, the Tallasse facility already serves 6,028 connections and includes electric groundnut oil processing, rice milling and flour grinding equipment, alongside electric tricycles to support local economic activities.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, described the projects as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at expanding access to electricity through renewable energy.
He said the return of electricity to Tallasse marked a new chapter for residents who had endured years without power, adding that the real value of the investment would be seen in how it improves everyday life.
Tegbe said farmers would be able to process their produce closer to home, traders could better preserve perishable goods, artisans could operate equipment more efficiently, and young people could develop businesses within their communities.
He added that the projects could also strengthen public services, reduce the cost of self-generated electricity and attract new businesses.
The minister called on residents to protect the facilities from vandalism, stressing that cooperation among the Federal Government, the state government, developers and host communities would be essential to keeping the projects operational.
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya welcomed the development, describing it as the outcome of collaboration between his administration and the Federal Government through the REA.
He noted that reliable electricity would have a wider impact in agricultural communities such as Balanga, particularly when combined with facilities for rice milling, groundnut processing and flour production, as well as electric mobility.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Abba Aliyu, said the agency was moving beyond simply counting electricity connections and installed capacity to measuring the economic benefits of its projects.
He explained that access to electricity alone was not enough without reliable supply, which was why the Tallasse project includes battery storage, intelligent monitoring systems, productive-use equipment and plans for sustainable operations.
The projects are being delivered under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up programme, which forms part of the Federal Government’s wider strategy to improve electricity supply through a combination of grid expansion, mini-grids, embedded generation and solar home systems.
The initiative also includes dedicated power solutions for institutions and economic centres such as universities, markets and agricultural clusters.
Traditional rulers, community leaders, members of the Gombe State Executive Council, lawmakers and religious leaders were among those who attended the ceremonies.
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