The Nigerian Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ending the importation of photovoltaic solar panels, citing the substantial financial burden this practice imposes on the nation.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, disclosed this on Monday during a roundtable discussion held in Victoria Island between the REA and the Lagos State Government.
The REA and the Lagos State Government convened in Lagos to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the electrification of rural communities.
Aliyu emphasized that efforts are in progress to shift the narrative and foster the local manufacturing of renewable energy equipment in the country.
He expressed his belief that Lagos, as the center of excellence, will spearhead the drive for the domestication of renewable energy equipment manufacturing.
“Over N200bn has been spent on the importation of PV panels into the country.
“While there is a need for that importation, one of the key things our agency is striving for is domesticating the manufacturing of this renewable equipment. Lagos, being the centre of excellence, is going to lead a total war in that domestication,” he said.
He mentioned that the agency has already made strides toward the establishment of PV panel manufacturing plants in Lagos.
“There was a PV panel manufacturing assembly plant in Ikotun, Lagos.
“They started with 10 megawatts, but with the collaboration with REA, they have moved and increased their capacity to an additional 100 megawatts,” he said.
The REA boss also revealed that the agency is in talks to sign a joint development agreement with Green World for a lithium battery assembly plant in Lagos.
He noted that this is a $150 million investment occurring in the city.
Recently, the Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, stated that the Federal Government is committed to supporting local solar panel manufacturing while restricting imports.
Nnaji emphasized Nigeria’s capability to produce solar panels through the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure.
“With NASENI here, you know that we have panels. It has a factory that has started producing solar panels, and other private individuals are also producing solar panels as we speak. So, all we need to do is, even through science and technology, through our Presidential Executive Order No. 5, we will stop all these importations of solar panels. We will support our local industries to grow,” he said.
