Gombe’s Talasse gets 1MW solar mini-grid after 17 years off national grid

A one-megawatt solar mini-grid has been commissioned in Talasse, Gombe State, after the community spent more than 17 years without a connection to the national grid.

The project in Balanga Local Government Area is intended to supply homes and businesses, with Premium Times reporting that about 6,000 households and businesses are expected to benefit. The commissioning took place on Saturday.

Power Minister Joseph Tegbe urged residents to protect the facility from theft and vandalism. He said damage to the equipment could deprive the community and future generations of its benefits.

Vanguard reported that the installation includes a 2.4-megawatt-hour battery storage system and was delivered through the Rural Electrification Agency in partnership with the Gombe State Government and a private developer.

Governor Muhammadu Yahaya said construction began on November 6, 2025. He said the community’s long absence from the grid had limited economic activity and left residents relying on expensive alternatives.

Power for local processing

The governor said the state would complement rural electrification with equipment such as rice mills, electric flour grinders and groundnut oil-processing machines to support farming and small businesses.

REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu said the agency was placing more emphasis on reliable supply and the economic use of electricity, rather than counting installed capacity and connections alone, Vanguard reported.

Yahaya also called for proper maintenance of the Talasse facility and urged residents to guard against vandalism and illegal connections.

Sources: Premium Times, Vanguard