By Yemisi izuora
Three renewable energy companies –Solius NGPC, Peoples Home Association and Solar Force Nigeria Limited – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government for the production of 1000 megawatts solar electricity across the country.
Apart from power generation, the companies would also provide training for their Nigerian staff. Chairman of Solius Solution, Mr. Onu Eluwa, promised to establish a training school here in Nigeria as part of his company’s commitment to Federal Government power sector reform.
Chief Operating Officer of Peoples Home Association, Rasaki Porbeni, disclosed that the company will provide 500MW solar power.
This would be done in tranches of 100MW to five different locations in Nigeria just as it intends to establish Solar Research Centres in universities across Nigeria to generate 10,000 jobs for Nigeria, while Solar Force Company on its part will produce 1MW each of solar energy to 200 villages in six states of the federation.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, commended the three CEOs for their readiness to partner the Federal Government in providing electricity using renewable energy to Nigerians.
He assured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to stable power delivery to Nigerians, especially the rural communities who appear alienated from electricity due to the demographics of the country.
Nebo stressed that President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to giving power to the grassroots hence his government’s readiness 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, Power Purchase Agreements, Environment Impact Assessment.”
He further assured them that assistance would be provided with regards to land, while the Transmission Company of Nigeria will assist in deploying what is generated to the national grid.
The Minister concluded that with the signing of the MoU, all other agencies of government now know that the Federal government is involved and will cooperate with them.