The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Solar

  • FG urged to develop solar energy

    The Federal Government has been urged to participate actively in the development of solar energy industry in Nigeria, so as to facilitate speedy economic growth and massive industrialization.

    Addressing the press at the training of stakeholders in the solar energy industry in Lagos yesterday, the Managing Director of Rubitec Power Ltd, Mr. Bolade Soremekun, said:  “Solar energy is costly. Individuals cannot afford it, even if you bring the price down. It can only run effectively through Private Public Partnership (PPP)”.

    He described solar energy sector as the fastest growing business and should not be neglected. His words: “There has to be an alternative. We cannot be waiting eternally for DISCOS and endlessly for the transmission system and gas from the Niger Delta”.

    Mr. Soremekun noted that Kwara and Ogun states were already in tune with solar energy.

    He said: “Kwara has flagged off with ‘Operation Light Up Kwara’. Also ‘Gbamu Gbamu Irritation Project’ via solar energy in Ogun State has been completed”.

    Mr. Soremekun explained that the training of stakeholders was put together to enable  them know all about the technology.

    “We want them to know how it works, the panel, inverter, connection and the battery. We will be organizing training every two months by next year.

    “Nigeria needs an alternative. We cannot continue to depend on DISCOS. It is that need that makes solar energy the fastest growing business in Nigeria. Many bigger organizations, especially banks have started using solar to power ATM and make it work round the clock”.

    On partnership with Jinko Solar, he said, “Jinko Solar is the biggest in terms of having the largest share in Africa. All big designers doing megawatts of projects are using them”.

    He described Jinko Solar products as reliable and durable, adding that, “we entered into a partnership agreement with Jinko Solar in 2016. We are happy to become a distributor of their products and happy to relate with them as partners in progress”.

  • Infrastructure: Ogun to power institution with solar

    Infrastructure: Ogun to power institution with solar

    In furtherance of its infrastructure development in Ogun, the state government has concluded plans to power the newly- established Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, with solar energy. This will not only guarantee uninterrupted power supply, but also is a part of its rural development strategy.

    The solar power system, said the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, will be installed by an Independent Power Provider (IPP), under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

    In a statement issued by the Head of Media in the Works and Infrastructure Ministry, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, the commissioner was reported to have said the institution’s neighbours would also benefit from the solar power system.

    Adegbite explained that the firm selected for the project was one of the 12 Independent Power Providers earlier screened and certified to provide electricity for the state.

    “Government has decided to allocate five hectares of land to tqhe IPP out of the 400 hectares allocated for the institution. The IPP needs a large expanse of land where it will install the solar panels. This is from where the solar energy will be transmitted to the institution and its environs. What we want to achieve in all of these is to provide uninterrupted power supply to the school and equally allow the immediate environment benefits, though it will not be free,” he explained, adding that barring any unforseen circumstances, the institution will be completed by next year.

  • ‘Off-grid solar ’ll transform businesses’

    Mobile solar revolution will transform Nigeria’s small-business economy, Lumos Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Mr. Yuri Tsitrinbaum has said.

    He said access to power is a major constraint to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and many are using the Lumos Mobile Electricity service, which provides customers with reliable, clean, affordable solar electricity.

    Speaking with The Nation, Tsitrinbaum said he believed that the availability of solar solutions would play essential role in efforts to bridge the electricity supply gap. According to him, businesses without access to the grid find alternative electricity sources expensive, unreliable and dirty. “Many are now discovering that the clean energy wave sweeping across Africa can transform their fortunes,” he said.

    According to Tsitrinbaum, a recent survey revealed that 61 per cent of SMEs in Nigeria spend between N500 to N1,000 per day on fuel, while as many as 85 per cent of micro and small businesses rely on generators for supply of electricity. He, however, said with the Mobile Electricity service, costs are as low as N150 per day, or just N4,500 per month.

    Tsitrinbaum pointed out: “We are witnessing a power revolution in Nigeria. Our everyday lives demand more access to electricity, and we need to meet that demand in order for businesses to grow. If we are to meet the true potential of the thriving business community here, access to power must follow the path of the mobile revolution.

    ”Lumos Mobile Electricity service, in partnership with MTN, is an alternative to noisy, polluting generators. Available at MTN stores nationwide, the Y’ello Box is providing a solution to millions of Nigerians who don’t have access to reliable electricity.”

    He continued: “Lumos, which has attracted major investors into the Nigerian economy, has witnessed a rapid rise in the number of SMEs thriving, thanks to safe, reliable and affordable power from the Y’ello Box.

    “SMEs have found the Mobile Electricity service attractive as they can benefit both from its affordability and reliability, doing away with fuel and maintenance costs. With the Y’ello box, SMEs can increase their trading hours, and their profits.”

    On a visit to SMEs and health clinics using the Y’ello Box earlier this year, the United States (US) Ambassador to Nigeria Stuart Symington praised the service, noting that it would help Nigeria “fulfill its full economic potential”.

    Lumos, Tsitrinbaum disclosed, is already providing clean and affordable solar power to more than 200,000 people, many of whom are business owners and households, noting that by the end of the year, Lumos aims to provide one million Nigerians with access to reliable, clean and affordable electricity.

    “Lumos Global brings affordable, modern and clean electricity to communities that have been living off-grid. It connects the dots between the mobile payment revolution and solar energy through its patented, self-deployable solar power system, with integrated cellular payment and advanced security mechanisms.

    “With Lumos, households in the off-grid world can replace generators, candles, and flashlights with modern electricity that can power lights, cellphones, fans, laptops, TVs and other small electronic devices, and all for less the cost spent today on generators – on a lease to own basis, subscription via the mobile phone.”

  • NDPHC to inaugurate 20,000 solar units, 1,073 boreholes

    The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) is set to inaugurate 20,000 units of Solar Home System (SHS) and 1,073 solar powered boreholes across communities in the North.

    At the launch of SHS Project in Abuja, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NDPHC, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, said: “With the Solar-Home-System initiative, NDPHC will be actively involved in the process of bringing power to rural communities, thereby stimulating social and economic activities in the rural communities located off the grid.”

    According to him, under the first phase of the programme, NDPHC will deploy about 20,000 units of the systems to the under-served rural communities with no access to grid electricity supply. It has deployed 200 in it pilot programme in Wuna.

    He said: “The beneficiaries of the 20,000 units are among the already identified communities of the nineteen (19) Northern States of the federation. The units will be deployed within a period of 12 months.

    “To vigorously drive this initiative, NDPHC engaged Azuri Technologies Group/Azuri Solar Power Nigeria Limited in July 2016. They are to ensure that the first phase of the initiative is achieved within 12 months.”

    Ugbo stated that the solar project was directed at auditing and re-activating 1,073 solar powered boreholes. “Already two of these boreholes are in Wuna Community are the first to be repaired and have provided access to clean water for the community. Villagers in Wuna can now make more efficient use of their time rather than spending hours operating manual pumps,” he said.

    Wuna community, with an estimated population of 800 people, predominantly hosts farmers without access to electricity grid. Before now, they spent money on torchlights, candles, kerosene lamps and generators.

    The NDPHC boss highlighted the achievements of the company, which include the expansion of 36 Transmission Company of Nigeria’s 330kV and 132kV substations across the country and the construction of 1,635Km of 330kv Double Circuit lines; 720km of 132kV Double Circuit lines; 10 new 330kV substations, seven new 132Kv substations,  6,150MVA of 330/132kv transformation capacity, 2,800MVA of 132/33kV transformation capacity; and the provision of over 25,000 complete self protection (CSP) transformers.

    He said in November last year, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, inaugurated the 12-circuit Ikot-Ekpene 330KVA Switching Station and the associated transmissions lines with about 285km completed by the new management.

    “These projects are now assisting in evacuating into the national grid, electricity hitherto stranded in the Eastern Delta,” he added.

    The NDPHC was set up as a fast- track power sector infrastructure development. The 12-circuit Ikot-Ekpene 330KVA Switching Station and associated transmissions lines  and other projects are assisting in evacuating into the national grid, electricity hitherto stranded in the Eastern Delta.

  • Why we launched N1b MSMEs’ solar energy fund, by BoI

    Why we launched N1b MSMEs’ solar energy fund, by BoI

    The Bank of Industry (BoI)  launched the N1billion solar energy fund for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) because of the power challenge in the sector, its Acting Managing Director, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, has said.

    Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Olagunju said solar energy had become alternative for the MSME operators in view of the poor supply in the country.

    The cost of electricity accounts for about 40 per cent of operational expenses for most MSMEs, resulting in reduced profit margins and unsustainable ventures.

    Olagunju said: “Many Nigerians and Nigerian businesses that can afford other alternative energy sources have resorted to the use of electric generators at exorbitant costs. It was estimated that in 2015, manufacturers spent as much as N3.5trillion to generate alternative power due to the challenges in the supply of public electricity.

    “MSMEs play a major role as the engine through which most countries in the world thrive. Their growth and development are crucial to the level of industrialisation, modernisation, income per capita, equitable distribution of income, welfare and quality of life enjoyed by the citizenry.

    “Consequently, the performance of the MSME sub-sector is closely associated with the development of a nation. In Nigeria, the growth of this sector has been hampered over the years by a combination of factors, one of which is access to reliable electricity.

    “For Nigeria to, therefore, achieve sustainable and inclusive development, there is an urgent need to substantially increase the supply of modern and affordable energy services from sources that are affordable, accessible and environmentally friendly,” he added.

    Olagunju said renewable energy provides healthy and sustainable alternative to the continuous use of fossil fuels, with long-term cost saving advantages, especially in the absence of reliable power supply which is an essential ingredient for growth.

    “It is, therefore, important to support the provision of sustainable and reliable energy for MSMEs, which is why the Bank of Industry has decided to provide the solar energy fund to MSMEs.

    “The bank is already playing an active role in lighting up and powering Nigeria through the provision of solar energy solutions for rural communities, having successfully deployed solar solutions worth N240million to six off-grid communities, one each in Niger, Osun, Gombe, Anambra, Edo and Kaduna states, under its pilot scheme. These communities with an average of 200 homes each previously had no access to electricity, but since the provision of clean, reliable and sustainable solar electricity, the lives of the indigenes of these communities have changed significantly.”

    The bank’s General Manager, Large Enterprises, Mr. Joseph Babatunde, who gave a breakdown of how the Fund would be deployed, told The Nation that the projects would be implemented by select development partners to support agriculture, solid minerals, cottage industries, artisans, and service industry, and clusters to improve their operations.

    According to him, what will be due each applicant is N50 million,  adding that the allocation is scalable depending on the project.

    He noted that the initiative would not only boost employment generation, but it would also improve the standard of living of the beneficiaries, revamp the economy, and enhance poverty alleviation.

    Some of BoI’s development partners are Arnegy Solar Limited, GVE Projects Limited, GreenPower Overseas Limited, The Solar Shop Limited, Wayo Tropical Technical Limited, Blue Carmel Energy Limited, Novel Integrated Services Limited  and Solar Force Nigeria Limited.

    They will implement the projects from design to execution.

  • Simba Group unveils solar home inverters

    The Simba Group has launched the Luminous Solar Home Inverters to combat the fluctuating power supply and the rising cost of electricity.

    Head of Operations, Simba Group, Mr. Rajneesh Gupta said: “This is a revolutionary product that uses Intelligent Solar Optimisation Technology (i-SOT) and i-Charging to ensure efficient solar utilisation, whilst also drawing on electricity or generator supply if available.”

    He explained that the product’s proprietary intelligent algorithm cuts electricity supply where available, if solar power is sufficient. It does this, all the while, ensuring that battery backup is not compromised in the event of power failure.

    Gupta said unlike other solar home kits, which are power direct current-powered equipment, and require external charge controllers, the Luminous Solar Home Inverter powers AC appliances which features are built into a unit.

    He said the products are available in 850VA and 1.5KVAs, to address household power needs. “Luminous customers have seen the remarkable benefits of this product in action, the unique product has helped its users save significant amounts on diesel bills by reducing the generator running times to very few hours,” Gupta added.

    Similarly, those who get electricity from the grid, Gupta said, will save about 30 per cent on their monthly bills.

    The company announced that the new solar inverters would not be sold at a higher price than their non-solar counterparts for three months.

  • Solar power is cheap, says firm

    Solar power is cheap, says firm

    Petrocam Nigeria Limited has introduced solar-powered filling stations in the country to reduce dependence on the national grid for electricity, its Managing Director, Mr. Patrick Ilo, has said.

    He said Nigeria is close to the equator and, should  obtain sun directly from it, adding that his firm leverages the renewable energy source to power its filling stations for growth.

    He said the country generates about 70 per cent of its electricity from gas and 30 per cent from hydro plants, adding that the output from the two sources is not enough to meet the people’s needs.

    Ilo said: “It is safer, cheaper and reliable to use solar form of electricity for the two filling stations that were situated in Igando and Lekki- Ajah Expressway, both in Lagos. Nature has endowed us with sun, hence the decision to position our outlets in such a way that they would access solar well. Sun is God’s gift. It is free and left for people to see how they can tap the opportunities in it for power generation.”

    Ilo whose firm has partnership with Petrocam South African, an oil trading firm, said people are sure of getting fuel for their vehicles, generators and other equipment regularly, adding that the issue of epileptic power supply, which is common with grid electricity, does not arise with solar.

  • Solar firm to create 500,000 jobs

    A steven Solar Nigeria, a  solar power generating company, plans to generate about 50 Megawatts of electricity and create over 500, 000 direct jobs over the next 24 months.

    Its Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Sunny Akpoyibo, at a briefing at the ‘Nigeria Energy Forum’, where the firm bagged the Group Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Energy Development in Nigeria.

    Asteven Solar, he said, will commence the phased implementation of its model to generate 50 MW over the next 24 months with a potential to generate over 500,000 jobs, using its developed solar solutions.

    His words: “We are uniquely positioned to help Nigeria, working with government at all levels and corporate organisations, to bridge the energy gap and simultaneously achieve environmental sustainability and economic empowerment. This is due to the silent strategic investments we have been making over the years in solar energy in Nigeria, Cameroun and Europe.”

    The adoption of solar energy, he recalled, has often been weighed down by price and quality perception, adding that, the company is investing in service centres across Nigeria to ensure the quality of its panels, batteries, LED lights and other components.

  • KCPTA launches Solar and Water Project

    The Kings College Parents Teachers Association (KCPTA), has launched its water and solar projects at its annex campus in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    According to the body’s Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Oriakhi, the project which began in January, is an industrial water treatment plant that purifies water via reverse osmosis equivalent to Eva water.

    “It can produce over 48,000 litres of water per day, three times more than the water requirement of the campus. It’s a dream come true and we need to congratulate ourselves for this,” Oriakhi said.

    Oriakhi noted that the solar project is also very important as it would enhance academic activities, add to quality of life on campus and save the management money from constant buying of diesel and generators repairs.

    Principal of Kings College, Mr Oluseyi Thomas, thanked KCPTA for the project, and also praised the old boys, stakeholders and community leaders for their support to the institution.

    He said :”I resumed November last year and I must say this project is a dream come true. When I came in and saw the situation, particularly the water problem, I knew we cannot progress without the problem being solved, we sat and discussed it. I’m happy PTA also supported that vision and today we are seeing this”, Oluseyi said.

    He further noted that the PTA has agreed to carry out 12 more projects which would be maintained by the college.

  • ‘Solar can provide electricity to 90m Nigerians’

    ‘Solar can provide electricity to 90m Nigerians’

    The Council for Renewable Energy of Nigeria (CREN) has said solar energy can provide electricity for about 90 million Nigerians. This will speed up business investments in the country and create opportunities for employment, it added.

    The President of the council, Anita Okuribido, said ‘’when people are sure that they could get 24 hours of electricity supply from off-grid sources such as solar, they would buy into it.Therefore, we need to be producing solar panels in quantum in-country.

    “It goes beyond looking for power production from solar, we should really take it seriously and invite solar panel manufacturers and experts from Germany, China, and other countries of the world to come and establish their companies here in Nigeria,” she said.

    The United Nations had warned that by the end of the millennium there would be no fossil fuel, therefore, this is the time to actually prepare for that period when all of us would certainly go into renewable energy to produce electricity, she said.

    Speaking on the theme: Renewable energy development – Option for sustainable investment, Okuribido stressed the commitment of the council to ensure appropriate implementation of renewable energy technologies in the country, adding the council would address the challenges of awareness, availability and cost.

    She also said the council would create public awareness and foster the emerging availability of reliable, economically viable renewable energy systems by supporting policy information and implementation, research, development and use of such systems.

    According to her, the council would facilitate the planning and partnerships necessary to achieve large-scale, renewable energy implementation in the country, adding it would enhance government and public awareness of renewable energy technologies.

    She said efforts are ongoing to advance renewable energy curriculum development in primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions, enhance renewable energy initiatives of its members as well as establish a strong member base representative of all renewable energy stakeholders.

    The former Director-General, Energy Commission and former Vice Chairman, World Energy Council, Abubakar Sambo said with the implementation of renewable energy policy, the country would be more secured for sustainable growth and development. He said renewable energy is a subject that has to be deployed in all countries of the world including Nigeria.

    He said: “If you go to other countries of the world, you will lament over Nigeria, the giant of Africa, because it is really weighed down by the scale of globalisation.” He said other African countries are far ahead of us in terms of renewable energy policy implementation including Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Liberia, Kenya and South Africa.