Nigeria to begin solar home systems installation next month
The Nigerian government has said it will commence the process of installation of five million solar home systems in under-served and off-grid communities across the country in December.
The presidency disclosed this on Sunday via its Twitter handle, describing the initiative as a continuation of a coordinated implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan across the country.
It said the programme would include the assembly and manufacturing of components of off-grid solutions to facilitate growth of the local manufacturing industry, while the use of local content would be incentivised.
“The first set of installations will be done nationwide in December 2020,” the Muhammadu Buhari-led presidency said.
It said the Central Bank of Nigeria would make available funds to the private companies in the solar power subsector involved in the manufacture, assembling, installation, servicing of the solar systems, at rates ranging between five to 10 percent.
The presidency said, “Aside providing access to affordable energy, the objective of the plan is to improve social, economic and environmental welfare of 25 million Nigerians while generating jobs, increasing revenues and import substitution.
“Regarding jobs, the ESP 5m Solar Installation is expected to create about 250,000 jobs including in manufacturing, assembling, installations, maintenance and payment systems.”
