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In Tallasse, groundnut oil presses run on solar after 17 years without power

23rd October, 2026

A 1MW solar mini-grid with 2.4MWh of battery storage now serves 6,028 connections in Tallasse, Gombe State, ending what the Ministry of Power describes as a 17-year blackout. The REA has also started building a 16MW network of four interconnected mini-grids across the state.

Tallasse, in Gombe State’s Balanga Local Government Area, now has a 1MW solar mini-grid with 2.4MWh of battery storage serving 6,028 connections. The Ministry of Power says it has ended a blackout that lasted 17 years.

Groundnut oil processing, rice milling, flour grinding and electric tricycles all run on the new supply, according to the ministry. Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, said the agency is moving from measuring success by connections and megawatts to assessing the economic benefit to the communities it serves.

Alongside Tallasse, the REA, the Gombe State Government and a private developer have started building a 16MW network of four interconnected solar mini-grids at Dukku, Bajoga, Kumo and Kaltungo.

Both projects come under DARES, the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up programme. It covers mini-grids, embedded generation and solar home systems, along with dedicated supply for places such as universities and agricultural clusters.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya called the projects evidence of effective collaboration between the state and federal governments through the REA.

Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe urged residents to protect the installations from vandalism, and said “the true significance of these investments will be measured in the daily lives they improve.”

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Charlotte Lamb
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