Nigeria’s first solar-powered plant commissioned in Ibadan
Oredola Adeola
The Nigerian Breweries Plc in collaboration with CrossBoundary Energy, a leading solar solution firm in Africa has commissioned a 663.6 kiloWatts peak (KWp), Nigeria’s first solar plant that provides clean electricity to the Nigerian Breweries Plc in Ibadan.
CrossBoundary Energy is a green energy provider with a cutting- edge innovation to solarise breweries and other industrial manufacturers in Africa. This NB Ibadan project was developed through 1,680 solar panels installed on the factory’s roof.
EnergyDay gathered that the solar plant was executed between NBL and Crossboundary Energy Limited, through a fully financed solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) It is expected to supply approximately 800 MWh to the brewery annually.
Chairman of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Chief (Dr) Kolawole Jamodu (CFR) in his statement expressed delight at the project completion, describing it as a demonstration of NB’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel, Managing Director, NB Plc, in his keynote address during the event, described the project as first of its kind in the manufacturing sector as Nigerian Breweries is the first brewer in Nigeria to commission a solar power plant provide renewable, clean energy for manufacturing.
Bel disclosed that in addition to this solar plant in Ibadan, the company is already developing other renewable energy plants in its other breweries to ensure that 70% of electricity used in all of its breweries is powered from clean sources.
He said, “We are not only interested in being Number 1 in Sales and profitability. We also want to be number 1 in environmental sustainability – ensuring that the communities where our breweries are located benefit from our operations in the best possible way” he said.
“Apart from developing renewable energies to ensure cleaner air, we are also investing heavily in ensuring cleaner water for our communities. We have taken great pains to build a state of the art, waste water treatment plant in our breweries to ensure that we do not cause water pollution.
“ All wastewater produced from the brewery is properly treated and monitored in line with regulatory requirements before they it is discharged, making it safe and not harmful to acquatic life and the environment in general”, he added.
He disclosed that the plant which was built at the cost of over N300 million, is part of “NB Plc’s Brew A Better World” sustainability agenda, which is aimed at meeting the company’s carbon neutrality targets through increased energy efficiency in its production.
The MD disclosed that the power solution will be providing a significant reduction to the current cost of power, while also reducing the plant’s CO2 emissions by over 10,000 tonnes over the lifespan of the plant.
Speaking at the Commission , the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, revealed that the project is part of the company’s bid to transition to renewable energy, and as the host community, this is beneficial to our people.
He also stated that this move by the NBL is a challenge to the government to continue to make society better for the citizens. He said, “I also acknowledged the contributions of NBL and other private businesses to the growth of the Oyo State economy.
