The Nigerian government has officially commissioned a 300KWp Solar PV pilot project in Kainji, Niger State, as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The initiative aims to ensure reliable and quality electricity supply to businesses and households across Nigeria.
During the inauguration of the pilot project, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, highlighted that the project’s primary objectives include increasing power generation capacity and lowering electricity costs. The project is expected to foster collaboration between the main concessionaire, Mainstream Energy Solution, and its Chinese partner, HEDC, in the renewable energy sector.
Minister Adelabu emphasised the ongoing efforts to achieve President Tinubu’s turnaround agenda for a reliable and quality power supply. The Ministry of Power aims to enhance distribution and transmission infrastructure, minimise technical and commercial losses, address the metering gap, and tackle challenges related to power theft and vandalism.
The Minister also reported incidents of power tower destruction to the National Security Adviser (NSA) to strengthen security around power infrastructure. The government has formulated policies and programmes to ensure power availability for the public.
Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser, Strategic Communication and Media Relations to the Minister, explained that the power project includes a 675KWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), integral to the extension of the Kainji Hydro Power Plant (HPP) project.
Managing Director of Mainstream Energy Solution, Engineer Lamu Audu, noted that the project aligns with the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency policy. It lays the groundwork for increasing the country’s renewable energy development by 2030. Audu announced plans for a 450MWp and 150MWp Solar PV at Kainji and Jebba Hydro Power Plants (HPPs) in the near future. He urged the Nigerian government to create an enabling environment to attract more private investment in the sector.