KEDCO Utility 2.0: Kano DisCo partners best renewable energy companies to enhance electricity supply in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa

Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has announced the allocation of 41 prioritized sites to 31 of the best Renewable and Off-Grid Companies in Nigeria to accelerate improvement in energy supply to its customers.

SolaceBase reports that the KEDCO Utility 2.0 Project seeks to enhance energy security within the KEDCO network, by unlocking renewable energy potential in the area and aligning with the Federal Government’s energy transition plan.

KEDCO has advanced in engaging with relevant stakeholders especially the Governments of the tristate of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa for input and support toward the success of these projects.

A statement issued by Sani Bala Sani, KEDCO Head, Corporate Communication, on Sunday , said the 41 Sites were selected across the tri-state for the development of interconnected mini-grids and embedded generation projects to augment grid supply and improve reliability in the network.

According to the statement, to reduce losses, all projects include network infrastructure upgrades similar to the $2 million, Zawaciki

Solar Power Plant developed by KEDCO’s core investors – Future Energies Africa FEA, as a pilot for KEDCO Utility 2.0.

The statement said the sites include Tokarawa Industrial Area, Amana and Kwankwasiyya Cities in Kano, Charanchi, Malumfashi, and Barhim Estate in Katsina and Kafin Hausa and Gumel towns, both in Jigawa State.

Read Also:KEDCO partners 30 embedded/mini-grid developers to increase network generation by 40MW

(see full site list below).

Earlier, KEDCO announced that players in the Renewable Energy and Off-Grid space such as

Axxela, PowerGen, DayStar, Elektron, Bagaja, ProServe, Husk and Westa had indicated interest in working with the DiSco on phase 1 of its Utility 2.0 concept.

‘’After a comprehensive procurement process, the Pre-qualified Developers were grouped into two categories – Tier 1 (1MW sites or greater) and Tier 2 (lower than 1MW), and selected proposed sites were duly allocated,’’ the statement said.

‘’Pre-qualified Developers are required to register, pay fees and security deposits, complete an initial

site assessment, and sign agreements within this month to move to the site within Q3 2024.

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‘’An estimated 60MW is being apportioned to Developers that will handle the construction of Solar

‘’Power Plants, partner with KEDCO on the upgrade of distribution infrastructure in the communities, and provide metering infrastructure. Tokarawa, Challawa, and some of the proposed sites are designed to be Embedded Generation projects modelled as a bilateral contracting agreement between KEDCO and the Developers.

Utility 2.0 is the program that KEDCO’s core investor – Future Energies Africa is championing to make KEDCO the first green utility in Africa.

KEDCO is approaching off-grid as an opportunity and not a threat to its business, by partnering with Developers.

KEDCO’s Chief Strategy Officer, Engr. Hussaini Sadiq commented on the program, saying “I believe

KEDCO has great potential for investment and partnerships, particularly aligning with our host State

Governments in reviving agro-industrial and commercial hubs, towards the re-industrialization and socio-economic empowerment of our communities.

The proposed sites under the KEDCO Utility 2.0 have underserved customers with high unsuppressed load which makes it a great opportunity for all stakeholders.”

Also, commenting on the project, KEDCO’s Chairman Engr. Adamu Ibrahim Gumel stated “We are keen to explore all available solutions towards resolving energy deficiency in our network, thus Utility 2.0 will continue to grow and evolve. We are already working on phase 2 as 60MW is just a small portion of the energy gap we need to cover. We hope to continue to work with Developers that excel in this first phase into the future.”

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Site

No. Site Location Proposed

Capacity Selected Developer

1 Tokarawa Phase 1 Tokarawa Industrial

Area, Kano 20MW Elektron Energy

2

Kura Rice Millers & Karfi Rice

Millers Kura, Kano 2.5MW Bagaja Renewables

3 Barhim Estate, Katsina Katsina 2-3MW Bagaja Renewables

4 Gumel Metropolis Gumel, Jigawa 1MW Husk Power Limited

5

Hadejia Metropolis

Commercial / Hadejia Fish

Market

Hadejia, Jigawa 0.5-1MW 1634 Energy Limited

6 Kazaure Metropolis Kazaure, Jigawa 2MW PowerGen

7 Ringim Metropolis Ringim, Jigawa 0.5-1MW Paras Energy Ltd

8

Ado Bayero Royal City, Estate

& Family Home Estate

Darmanawa

(Gandun Sarki),

Kano

2MW Westa Solar

9

Almukab City 1 Estate,

Tamburawa Tamburawa, Kano 1MW Daystar Power Ltd

10 Al-Mukab Estate/ City, 2 & 3

Western Bypass Estate

Western Bypass,

Kano 1MW Hamilton Energy

Systems Ltd

11 Kano Economic City Zaria Road

Dangoro, Kano 1-2MW Trust Synergy Ltd

12 KEDCO HQ Civic Centre, Kano 2MW PowerGen

13 Mal. Inuwa Dutse Housing

Estate, Danmasara

Danmasara, Dutse,

Jigawa 1-2MW Proserve Energy

Services

14 Bashir Tofa Small Scale Sharada, Kano 1MW Strom Infrastructure

Limited

15 Jaba Road Housing Estates Jaba, Kano 2MW Axxela Limited