KEY POINTS
- The Energy Commission of Nigeria says it will manufacture solar panels locally with LONGi to lower renewable energy costs.
- It is working with states and Energy China on capacity building and five-megawatt mini-grids, supporting a 30,000 MW by 2030 target with 30 percent renewables.
- A 0.5 MW solar hybrid system has taken the commission fully off the national grid, with surplus capacity that could power neighbouring facilities.
Nigeria will soon begin producing solar panels locally, the Energy Commission of Nigeria said, through a partnership with global solar giant LONGi aimed at cutting the cost of renewable energy technology.
ECN Director-General Musa Abdullahi disclosed the plan on Wednesday during a familiarisation visit by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad. Moreover, he said local manufacturing would make solar solutions more affordable for Nigerians.
Scaling renewables with states
According to Abdullahi, the commission is working with state governments to build capacity and scale renewable generation as power supply becomes more decentralised. Specifically, he said the ECN has sealed deals with states to support capacity development and attract financing for renewable projects. Furthermore, it is partnering with Energy China to deploy five-megawatt mini-grid projects across states.
These efforts tie into a national target. Consequently, Abdullahi said the initiatives align with the government’s ambition to expand Nigeria’s electricity generation to 30,000 megawatts by 2030, with 30 percent drawn from renewable sources. Additionally, he noted that the commission has pursued several projects since his appointment in October 2023 to prove the country can deploy sustainable energy.
A pilot off the grid
The standout, he said, is a 0.5-megawatt solar hybrid system that has taken the commission completely off the national grid. Therefore, the ECN now generates its own electricity from solar, cutting its reliance on the grid and showing the model works.
However, the system also leaves room to spare. Specifically, Abdullahi said the commission needs about 350 kilowatts, while the installed capacity reaches 500 kilowatts, so the surplus could support neighbouring facilities. Nevertheless, he framed the project as a pilot designed for replication nationwide, saying it demonstrates capacity, sustainability and possibility.
The Permanent Secretary welcomed the results. Muhammad praised the management and delivered projects, pledging closer ministry support, and he called the renewable project a model for other agencies and communities. Ultimately, he pointed to Nigeria’s abundant sunlight as a national asset, saying simply that this is the way to go.
