To boost the Federal Government’s policy on increasing renewable energy opportunities through dependable solar alternatives, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has commenced a partnership with Azuri Power to provide electricity to rural dwellers.
This partnership, flagged off at Wuna Village in the FCT, Abuja, is a part of the Presidential Initiative on Rural Solar Home Lighting Systems.Under phase 1 of the NDPHC, 10 thermal Plants close to source of natural gas supply were built in the Niger Delta and some locations in the West.Under phase 11, it would further strengthen Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure, build hydropower Plants in the North and move into the utilisation of alternative sources of power generation including renewable.
The NDPHC is actively involved in this presidential initiative where at its beginning, 20,000 units of solar home systems are now being deployed in under-served rural areas with no access to the national grid.
Most rural dwellers in Nigeria have relied on kerosene lanterns and candles for their energy needs for decades, but this clean energy initiative, which beside creating jobs and supporting solar installers and agents, will definitely boost general economic activities in the communities and make life more worth living.New small businesses will open and students can make better use of their nights.
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The NDPHC began the phased roll out in northern Nigeria to be followed by a nationwide deployment aiming for those Nigerians off the national grid. Under this NDPHC/Azuri partnership, a pay as you go system is being used.Customers pay monthly rates up to a time where the customer will own the solar unit.
It has contributed over 22,000,000 WHr of energy daily to the national grid. It has also provided the System Operator with critical services.Now launching into its phase 11 on renewable energy, this start off with Azuri will further impact Nigerians. With an average of 325 days of bright sunlight yearly, solar power can be one of Nigeria’s top lucrative business opportunity and a sure way to bring electricity to its millions of citizens.
Many Nigerians still fall back on generators to meet their huge energy needs and it will take additional huge investment and time to meet all the need of Nigerians from the national grid.Solar power with its cheap, easy to deploy effectiveness can help millions to afford stable power supply through good payments schemes. It is this initiative that the NDPHC has actively commenced.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Chiedu Ugbo, said Nigeria is dedicated to ensuring of access to power, particularly solar power for the people.’’“In a continent where more than half of the world’s total population without electricity live, this NDPHC phase 11 project will definitely reduce the number of Nigerians whose productivity level have been cut down due to absence of energy”, he said.
Source: G Business
