The President, on Monday, inaugurated the 10 megawatt Kano Solar Power Project, funded by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) with $16m.
According to the NSIA, the project has the seal of approval of the president, as he expressed his satisfaction with the caliber of work done in the construction of the solar power facility.
The $16 million project was announced by the president of Nigeria together, Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje; Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning; Zainab Ahmad; Chairman of the Board of Directors of NSIA, Farouk Gumel; and Managing Director, NSIA, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, among others.
“The project is now the largest solar PV plant connected to the grid and is a testament to the successful deployment of mid-sized solar PV in Nigeria,” a statement from the NSIA was read.
The NSIA noted that he was appointed by the President to oversee the financing and construction of a 10 MW solar project on a 24-hectare plot of land in Kumbotso Local Government, Kano State. The NSIA directive from the president is to conceptualize, develop, construct, and operationalize the Kano Solar project.
Nigeria is struggling most with power generation and as a result projects like this tend to fix major problems in communities across the country.
However, this particular project was created to accomplish two goals simultaneously. On the one hand, it helps to chip away at some of the nation’s power crisis, and on the other hand, it prevents the region from increasing its carbon footprint.
“The project also builds on Nigeria’s credentials in the fight against climate change and our commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2060,” the NSIA stated.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Managing Director of NSIA, Umar-Sadiq noted that the 10MW Kano Solar Project will have a great socio-economic and environmental impact as it will give businesses and consumers nearby access to clean, affordable and sustainable electricity.
He also added that the factory features more than 21,000 solar panels, two 6MVA transformers, 52 inverters, warehouse and storage buildings, control rooms, offices, and workshops, etc., and creates around 2,000 direct and indirect jobs. jobs for the neighborhood.