NDPHC, US energy firm set to build 276MW solar plant in Akurba, Nassarawa

Oredola Adeola

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has revealed plan to partner with a United States, US government renewable energy company,  SUN Africa LLC, USA, for the development of a 276 megawatts solar energy plant in Akurba community, a suburb of Nasarawa State.

Valerie Agberagba,  NDPHC General Manager, Renewable Energy, made this known when she led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule, of  Nasarawa State, at the Government house in Lafia recently.

According to her, the company, which has a mandate to provide power infrastructure across the value chain to enhance the capacity of power in the country, is partnering with a US renewable energy company, to undertake the building of 10 utility scales across the country, to a total of 1gigawatts, which is about 1000 megawatts.

She added that, so far, the NDPHC has undertaken the establishment of 10 power plants across the country, with 8 already completed and added to the national grid while two are under completion.

EnergyDay gathered that the solar project in Akurba community in Nasarawa state is part of the $1.5 billion loan from the US-EXIM Bank to Nigeria for the establishment of solar power infrastructure in 10 different locations across the country.

Adam Cortese, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SUN Africa LLC, USA, in July met with President Muhammadu Buhari, for the ratification of the government-to-government solar facility. This is expected to run for a concessional rate of over 20 years.

EbergyDay further gathered that the NDPHC is expected to own the assets, generate and deliver a low levelised cost of electricity to the communities, using the revenue to service loans from EXIM Bank.