22 December 2014, Sweetcrude, Lagos – In its determination to diversify the energy mix in the country, the Nigerian Government has recently signed three Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three different Renewable Energy Companies – Solius NGPC; the Peoples Home Association and Solar Force Nigeria Limited for the production of solar power across the country.
The release from the Publicity Department of the Ministry on Thursday December 18, 2014 noted that apart from power generation, these companies would also provide training for indigenous staff. The Chairman of Solius Solution, Onu Eluwa promised to establish a training school in Nigeria as part of its commitment to the Federal Government, indicating that the company intends to provide 1,000 megawatts of power into the national grid, but would begin with 100 megawatts in any location recommended by the Ministry of Power.
The Chief Operating Officer of Peoples Home Association, Rasaki Porbeni disclosed that the company will provide 500 megawatts of solar power in tranches of 100 megawatts to 5 different locations in Nigeria. Adding, it intends to establish solar research centres in the universities across Nigeria and generate 10,000 jobs for Nigerians. ‘The Solar Force Company, he said will produce one megawatt each of solar energy to 200 different villages in 6 different States of the federation and the entire projects by the companies would be self – funded.’
The Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo (Professor) commended the three CEOs for their readiness to partner with the Federal Government towards providing electricity to Nigerians using renewable energy. He assured them of FG’s commitment to power delivery to Nigerians most especially the rural community, who appear eliminated from electricity supply due to the demographic nature of the country. Nebo stressed that President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to giving power to the grassroots, therefore his government is ready to support and encourage genuine investors in the power sector.
“We will do all that is needed for you to come on board in the granting of licenses as well as Power Purchase Agreements and Environmental Impact Assessment, among others. Assistance will be provided with regards to land, while the transmission company will assist in deploying what is generated to the national grid. With the signing of the MoU, all other agencies of government now know that the Federal Government is involved and will cooperate with them,” he said.
*Government press statement
