Bayelsa Solar Expansion Targets 1,058 Connections to Power Small Businesses and Artisans

Akeddei solar hybrid mini-grid targets 1,058 connections in Bayelsa. CEO Henry Ureh confirms $532,828 grant to drive economic growth in the Niger Delta.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 7, 2026, 3:35 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Nation

Scaling Renewable Energy to Empower Underserved Communities

The All On Akeddei Community Project is entering an ambitious new phase aimed at connecting 1,058 homes and businesses in Bayelsa State to reliable solar power. Henry Ureh, Chief Executive Officer, confirmed that the expansion follows the successful implementation of earlier renewable energy models in the region. By focusing on productive-use customers, the project seeks to transform the local economy by providing steady electricity to artisans, service providers, and small business owners who previously lacked dependable energy sources.

Strategic Grant Funding Fuels Hybrid Mini-Grid Development

A significant financial injection of $532,828 from All On has been granted to Darway Coast Ltd to facilitate the construction of a 195kWp solar hybrid mini-grid. This infrastructure represents a major technical milestone for the Akeddei community, with equipment installation and site preparation already well underway. According to Ureh, the visible progress at the project site has generated immense optimism among residents, who have waited years for an alternative to noisy and expensive fuel-powered generators.

Replicating Success Following the Oweikorogha Pilot Project

The current expansion draws inspiration from the 80kWp hybrid mini-grid recently completed in nearby Oweikorogha. That initiative surpassed its initial targets by providing electricity to 451 entities, effectively demonstrating the transformative power of stable energy. In Oweikorogha, the introduction of the mini-grid allowed businesses to extend their operating hours and enabled essential facilities, such as health clinics and schools, to function with greater reliability and safety.