Kolaku is a landlocked community with GPS Coordinates N10°02.393′, E11°46.891′ located in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State Nigeria.

The Community is approximately one hour away from the heart of Gombe (off Biu Road).

Kolaku has agriculture and petty commercial activities as its prevailing economic drivers.

The community has a total estimated population density of about 350 houses.

The community is serviced by a school, health centre, a security post (local vigilantes) and mosques as social amenities while lacking portable strong telecom access.

The predominant means of transportation within the community is by foot or motorbikes.

Quite a handful of the inhabitants have access to electricity through petrol-powered generators while the rest are at the mercy of kerosene lamps, candle lamps, firewood etc.

The average cost of petrol in Kolaku is N250.00 (72% costlier than open market rate) while the average cost of kerosene is N350 (300% costlier than open market rate).

The major challenge facing economic development in the community is the lack of electricity access for residential and commercial activities most importantly for the processing of agro-produces before taking them to the market.

In June 2017, GVE Projects Ltd in collaboration with the Bank of Industry Nigeria (BOI)/ United Nations Development Program (UNDP) implemented a 46kW PV solar based mini-grid pilot project in Kolaku community.

The project is aimed at scaling of adopting renewable energy for off-grid rural electrification.

The project has created 42 direct and indirect jobs during the course of implementation while creating an estimated N8.03million ($22,000.00) in wealth in the beneficiary community through construction, survey, labour and other related expenditures.

The project is estimated to offsets about 438.7 metric tons of CO2 annually in the community thereby preserving the natural environment while enhancing the living standards of the inhabitants.

This project has led to the transfer of knowledge by training of locals to oversee the daily operation of the site post-implementation.

This has led to the sustainability of the project.

The project currently serves 300 Households.

Other project impacts include:

• 26 Nos Street lighting points along the main street of Kolaku Community
• Enhanced security at night
• Extended business operating hours
• Children gather around the street lighting points to study/ play at night.
• 40% reduction in Energy related expenditure.
• 65% reduction in malaria cases.