Renewables
Gombe community receives 1MW solar mini-grid after 17 years off-grid
Talasse in Gombe State has been connected to a new 1-megawatt solar mini-grid, ending over 17 years without access to the national electricity grid.
Key points
- A new 1MW solar mini-grid has been commissioned in Talasse, Gombe State.
- The project is expected to benefit approximately 6,000 households and local businesses.
- Gombe State plans further mini-grid developments across multiple local government areas.
What happened
Residents of Talasse in the Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State have been connected to a 1-megawatt solar mini-grid project. According to Premium Times, the community had spent over 17 years without a connection to the national electricity grid.
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe commissioned the facility, urging community members to protect the energy assets from vandalism and theft. Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya noted that construction on the project began on November 6, 2025, and was completed in under a year.
Why it matters
The new installation is designed to serve about 6,000 households and businesses, providing an alternative to expensive energy sources that previously constrained local commerce. Governor Yahaya stated that the state government intends to deploy additional solar mini-grids totaling 4MW across Akko, Dukku, Funakaye, and Kaltungo local government areas.
Projects in Filiya and Gelengu have reached 90 percent completion as part of a broader initiative aimed at bringing electricity access to 80 communities across the state. The administration also plans to supply productive-use equipment such as rice mills and flour grinders to support local agro-processing.
What comes next
Stakeholders, including the Rural Electrification Agency, the World Bank, and state authorities, collaborated on the Talasse installation. Federal and state officials emphasized the importance of community oversight to ensure the long-term viability of the renewable energy infrastructure.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
27.8% of electricity in the world was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
