Yemisi Izuora
Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, in partnership with Green Village Electricity (GVE) Projects Limited, Arnergy Solar Limited and Bank of Industry Nigeria Limited have announced the commissioning of low-cost, off-Grid Solar Energy Solutions in two states in view of an expansion in four additional pilot states across the country.
The project is designed to provide 24kW of PV Solar based Off-Grid electricity system to rural communities in six different states of Nigeria (Gombe, Kaduna, Anambra, Delta ,Osun and Niger).
The system will supply electricity to around 200 clients (residential and commercial) in each of the communities through a 2km 230VAC, 50Hz mini-grid electricity distribution network. With an average household size of 7, the estimated direct impact of the whole project is about 7,000 people, while an additional 500 people will be impacted indirectly through the cottage businesses and street lighting components also attached to the project.
Schneider Electric in partnership with GVE Projects Limited today commissioned the Mini-grid Solar project in Bisanti, Niger State and will be partnering with Anergy Solar Limited on Thurday, 8th October for the commissioning of the project in Osun State. Schneider Electric’s Conext (Xantrex) Solar Hybrid solutions were used in these two states.
Following a few years of capacity building, the project has now entered into the implementation phase with a focus on the deployment of low-cost, off-Grid Solar Energy Solutions for rural communities either as a stand-alone or micro-grid system.
The project explores partnerships that will promote the implementation of renewable energy solutions and provide linkages for enterprise development, especially for the unserved and the underserved rural communities in the country.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Country President, Schneider Electric, Anglophone West Africa, Walid Sheta said, ‘’ We believe access to energy is a basic human right. We want homes in Nigeria to have access to reliable, safe, efficient, and sustainable energy. At Schneider Electric, we are committed to innovative solutions that address this energy paradox, balancing our planet’s carbon footprint and supporting the undisputable right of everyone to quality energy’’.
Also speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Managing Director, GVE Projects Ltd., Ifeanyi B. Orajaka, said, ‘’The project will create about 20 direct and 30 indirect jobs during the course of implementation, while creating an estimated N5million in wealth in each of the beneficiary community through construction, survey, labour and other related implementation expenditures.
The project will offset an estimated 1000 metric tons of CO2 annually in the communities thereby preserving the natural environment while enhancing the standard of living of the inhabitants’’