Nigerian Breweries, CrossBoundary Energy sign $10 million solar plants deal to supply 10 GWh annually for Ibadan, Enugu Breweries
Oredola Adeola
Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB) and CrossBoundary Energy have signed a 15-year solar services agreement for the development of two renewable energy( solar and battery storage hybrid) projects to supply 10 GiggaWatt per hour(GWh) annually for NB Plc Ibadan and Ama breweries in Oyo and Enugu States.
This was contained in a statement made available to EnergyDay, through Sade Morgan, NB Plc, Corporate Affairs Director, and Kymberly Bays, CrossBoundary Group’s Global Head of Communications. According to the two organisations the deal, which is projected to be the largest renewable energy project for a business in Nigeria, is valued at the sum of $10 million.
NB’s Ama brewery will receive a 4 MWp solar PV plant and a 2 MW/2 MWh BESS. “The solar plants combined will supply approximately 10 GWh annually to the Ibadan and Ama breweries at a significant discount to their current cost of power. This project will reduce the site’s CO2 emissions by 100,000 tonnes over the lifespan of the plants.
CrossBoundary Energy will expand the current renewable energy system at NB’s Ibadan Brewery from a 663 kWp solar PV plant to a hybrid solar-plus-storage facility consisting of a 3 MWp solar PV system and a 2 MW/2 MWh battery energy storage system.
The company based on the agreement will fully finance the development and construction of the Ibadan and Ama renewable energy facilities and will operate both facilities as part of a 15-year solar services agreement with NB. Under the agreement, NB will only pay for solar power produced, receiving a single monthly bill that incorporates all maintenance, monitoring, insurance, and financing costs,” the statement confirmed.
The officials said that the deal is another significant step in strengthening the 5 years partnership between Nigerian Breweries and CrossBoundary Energy.
EnergyDay gathered that both companies had partnered to complete the first phase of NB Plc’s solar power project in its Ibadan brewery which was commissioned in 2022.
Hans Essaadi, Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc said, “We are delighted to be a pioneer in the adoption of solar energy in Nigeria. These additional solar plants will provide a significant portion of our electricity needs and put us well on our way to Carbon Neutrality.
“Expanding our renewable energy capabilities will ensure that Nigeria Breweries delivers on our environmental commitments under our Better A Better World (BABW) Sustainability initiative, and is in line with the global Net Zero targets set by our parent company HEINEKEN.”
James Shoetan, Chief Commercial Officer for CrossBoundary Energy said, “We’re ecstatic to continue supporting Nigerian Breweries’ sustainability goals and to be providing multiple breweries with cleaner, cheaper power with no upfront investment or technical risk.
“CrossBoundary Energy is encouraged to see the expansion of the flagship project at NB Ibadan thereby greatly increasing its sustainable footprint.”
A further check by EnergyDay showed that Soventix, a leading global project developer in the solar industry. will be working with CrossBoundary Energy to design and build both solar plants. Upon completion of construction, Soventix will provide operations and maintenance services for both facilities.
Alexandros Aris Papachristou, General Manager for Soventix in Nigeria said, “As an Energy Solutions partner for Nigerian Breweries and CrossBoundary Energy, we can contribute to the renewable goals of Nigerian Breweries with our custom-made energy solutions and best-in-class operations and maintenance operations.”
DHYBRID Power Systems, developer of control systems for your hybrid energy supply, is expected to design and supply the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and hybrid control system for both projects.
The statement by NB Plc and CrossBoundary revealed that the projects will support the local employment of approximately 80 people during the construction phase, and at least two dozen people when the plants are operational, adding that the projects will also enable private direct investment to support Nigeria’s recently reaffirmed commitment to net zero by 2060.
