FG Partners With Sun Africa for Solar PV Deal Worth $2.2 Billion

The Ministry of Power has disclosed that the federal government has sealed a contract worth $2.2 billion for a solar PV deal with Sun Africa. This development was announced by the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, who made this known through his official ‘X’ account on Sunday.

According to the Minister, the contract was sealed on Friday, November 17, when Sun Africa settled that it would deliver 961 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar photovoltaic power generation infrastructure and 455-megawatt hours of battery energy storage systems.

His post on ‘X’ reads,

• On November 17, 2023, I had the honour of representing Mr President at the commissioning of the West African Power Pool’s (WAPP) Communication and Coordination Center in Cotonou, Benin Republic. This ECOWAS initiative ensures seamless power transmission and market-driven energy trading across the West African Sub-region.

• A backup/fail-over centre in Nigeria is planned for the second phase, a high-tech Control Center supporting transmission connectivity and guaranteeing automatic off-take of new power investments. Later that day in Abuja, I met with representatives from Sun Africa LLC, a leading US-based renewable energy solutions provider.

• Together, we solidified a collaboration to enhance Nigeria’s power landscape. As the Honorable Minister of Power, I am excited about the positive impact on our nation, aligning with my power sector transformation roadmap of Distributed Power leveraging on Renewable Energy Sun Africa has committed to delivering 961 MWp of solar PV generation infrastructure and 455 MWh of battery energy storage systems, totaling $2.2 billion.

• This addresses Nigeria’s increasing power demand, supporting economic and energy sustainability objectives. This collaboration is a crucial step in transitioning to a more sustainable power mix, vital for economic growth and environmental responsibility.

• Grateful for Sun Africa’s partnership, I anticipate embarking on a journey to provide cutting-edge renewable power infrastructure to our citizens. Their dedication mirrors our vision for a resilient and energy-abundant Nigeria.

However, the Minister added that financing partners such as Citi and ING Bank are backed by the United States Export-Import Bank to support the Sun Africa deal by committing up to $10 billion over several years.

He mentioned that the banks' support will assist the project's initial phase and support future developments. According to him, Sterling & Wilson Renewable Energy Limited has been identified as the project's engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner.

He added, 

• This collaborative effort marks a milestone in advancing sustainable and reliable energy solutions for our nation. It underscores our commitment to providing accessible and eco-friendly power, shaping a more promising future for Nigeria.

• Gratitude to Sun Africa, our financing partners, and all stakeholders involved. Together, we forge a path towards a brighter, greener, and more energy-efficient Nigeria.