Abuja: Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has announced the state’s plan to establish an energy commission aimed at coordinating energy investments. This announcement was made during the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Roundtable Engagement with Benue State, held in Abuja. The theme of the roundtable was ‘From Strategy to Accelerating Private Investment in Benue State’s Renewable Energy Ecosystem.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the proposed energy commission will operate as an independent entity responsible for coordinating projects, mobilizing capital, streamlining approvals, and ensuring the efficient deployment of investor funds. Governor Alia emphasized that the commission would serve as a centralized platform for energy investment in the state, leading to transformative impacts. He highlighted that industrial zones and commercial enterprises would benefit from reliable electricity, which would reduce operational costs and attract further investments.
Furthermore, the governor stated that solar-power
ed schools and hospitals would experience uninterrupted services, thereby strengthening education and healthcare delivery. The expansion of electric vehicles, electric bikes, and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered transport is expected to reduce emissions, foster a green mobility ecosystem, and create new economic opportunities. The state aims to enhance energy access, improve quality of life, and create green jobs, thereby positioning itself as a benchmark for energy-led industrial development in Nigeria.
The state plans to establish a high-power task force to develop an energy master plan, which will define priority projects and develop bankable investment pipelines. This task force will also create a robust regulatory framework to guarantee transparency, predictability, and investor confidence. The governor mentioned that this plan would serve as a blueprint for renewable energy deployment and industrial energy solutions such as CNG.
In developing Benue’s energy strategy, the state has studied Nigeria’
s ongoing power sector reforms, particularly the decentralization of electricity generation and distribution enabled by the Electricity Act, 2023. Governor Alia noted that rather than replicating existing national structures, Benue is adapting these reforms to suit its unique economic profile, industrial ambitions, and energy demand patterns. While acknowledging the importance of the national grid, he pointed out its limitations in meeting sub-national and industrial energy needs, leading to the design of a complementary decentralized energy model.
The decentralized energy model aims to reduce dependence on the national grid and supports embedded and captive power solutions. It will enable private investors to efficiently serve industrial clusters, agro-processing zones, and off-grid communities. By integrating renewable energy and gas-based solutions such as CNG and alternative base load options, Benue aligns with national transition objectives while demonstrating state-level innovation.
In addition, Mr. A
bba Aliyu, Managing Director of REA, stated that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the agency secured a $750 million project fund. This fund is intended to develop 1,350 mini-grids to electrify 17.5 million Nigerians, develop 250 interconnected mini-grids, and deploy over 10 million solar home systems. Aliyu highlighted that the roundtable gathering provided an opportunity for the governor to invite private investors to access these funds and achieve 100 percent electrification in Benue State.