March 28, 2024

Nigeria sets to commission biggest solar cell production factory in Gora, Nasarawa 

Oredola Adeola

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has revealed the plan to commence the production of solar cells in Nigeria being part of a plan to substantially drive down the cost of installing the solar facilities, as well as scaling renewable energy solutions in the country.

This was revealed in a press statement issued by  Obiorah Ekwuazi Chinyere Chief Information Officer NASENI, and obtained by EnergyDay on Thursday.

EnergyDay’s check showed that a solar cell, also known as a photovoltaic cell, is an electrical device that converts light energy into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect and products of silicon.

The cell according to the agency is usually made from Silicon which is obtained from silica, which is the common sand.

NASENI, in the statement, confirmed that the groundbreaking ceremony of the Solar Cell Production Plant will soon take place in Gora, Nasarawa State

The agency revealed that the solar cell is one of the most important components of the solar system used to generate PV energy.

NASENI said, “The plant when fully operational will be one of the largest Solar Cell Production plants in Africa, thereby enabling Nigeria to go into full production of 100% local content of solar panels.

The agency however confirmed that Nigeria already has a 7.5 megawatt Solar panel production plant in Karshi Abuja operated by NASENI, but confirmed that the plant, for now, does not produce Solar cells.

The agency further explained that the Outgoing President, Muhammadu Buhari has directed NASENI to go into the production of Solar Cells to boost the country’s alternative source of power generation.

It said, “This is one of the promises kept by the present administration to provide employment for the teeming unemployed Nigeria youths, create wealth for the nation, and ensure that the industrial revolution and economic diversification agenda of the Federal Government are achieved.

“NASENI is already working in collaboration with China Great Wall Industries Corporation (CGWIC) on 3 key projects in the power sector, including Electric power transformer production, solar cells manufacturing, and high voltage testing laboratories.

“In order to carry out this directive, NASENI acquired 15. 8 hectares of land in Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State to start the establishment of the plant in Nigeria and the groundbreaking and foundation laying stone will be carried out soon for the effective take-off of the plant.

“With the establishment of the plant, the solar power supply will be affordable because the most expensive components are the cells,” the agency said.

Mrs.Nonyem Onyechi, Coordinating Director of Planning and Business Development (PBD) Directorate, NASENI , who represented Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive of NASENI, during the on-spot inspection of work at the site, boasted that the agency is prepared for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Solar Cell Plant scheduled later in the year.

Onyechi disclosed that the progress made with the construction of the facility is a booster for the proposed groundbreaking.

She added that with the establishment of the plant, Nigeria would have alternative sources of power generation, charging the contractor to ensure that all that was required for the groundbreaking were on the ground by the time the committee visited the site before the event proper.

Dr. Mohammed Mohammed, Director of Procurement, on his part said that all the challenges facing the progress of the work as stated by the contractor would be addressed.

He however advised the contractor to ensure that all the pending negotiations concerning the site were settled as soon as possible.

In a similar event, the committee proceeded to Keffi to inspect the progress made at the Skill Acquisition Center.

At the site, the committee commended the work and agreed that the technical subcommittee should take over the work and ensure that all that is required for the Commissioning of the center are put in place.

The technical subcommittee members were asked to take over Solar Cell Plant, Gora, and ASIP Kaduna to ensure that all the technical hitches are taken care of.