- Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo on Friday laid the foundation for the establishment of the first solar cell production factory in West Africa in Gora, Nasarawa State.
- This is part of Federal Government’s efforts towards transforming Nigeria’s power and energy sector which will rank Nigeria among countries adopting alternative energy sources, and also transform nation’s power and energy sector and boost the local economy.
“This landmark achievement places Nigeria within the ranks of countries pushing the boundaries in the use of climate-smart alternative energy sources, particularly solar power. And as we have heard, this particular project is building on 10 years of work. 10years ago, NASENI established its 7.5mw solar panel production plant. Its capacity is now 21MW,” said Osinnajo.
Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Prof Mohammad Sani Haruna, said the foundation laying ceremony marked the commencement of implementation of one of the three projects contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NASENI and the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC). “This production and research plant consists of four main production sections on a 15.8 hectres of land which are: polysilicon section of 1,000 ton per annum, ingot of 50MW per annum, wafers of 50MW per annum, and solar cells of 50MW per annum,” he added.
“It will cost a total of $171,970,000USD with 85% funding equivalent of $146,174,500USD support from China Africa Development (CAD) fund through the Bank of China and 15% local counterpart funding, equivalent of $25,795,500USD from Nigeria. The other two projects are Electric Power Transformer Production Plant at $123,990,000USD and High Voltage Testing Laboratory at $29,900,690USD, ” said Haruna.
“The total cost approved for the three projects is $325,860,690 and a total of $276,981,586.5 representing 85% is from China. The 15% counterpart for the three projects is $48,879,103.5 and NASENI has installmentally remitted up to 46.89% or $22,921,505.40 of the 15 percent ($48,879,103.5). Excess capacity of polysilicon and future expansion of wafers and solar cells production will lead to exportation for foreign exchange earnings,” Haruna concluded.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
