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UN Special Representative, UK envoy lauds solar project
By Robert Egbe
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’ Special Representative on Sustainable Energy for All Ms. Damilola Ogunbiyi and Deputy British High Commissioner Ben Llewelyn-Jones have lauded the 609kWp Jabi Lake Mall Solar Hybrid project in Abuja.
The Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, is scheduled to inspect the solar photovoltaic (PV) project today.
It is the first fully-operational solar hybrid project for a mall in the country. It was launched last year by United Kingdom (UK)-managed investment firm Actis alongside the developer, CrossBoundary Energy (CBE).
The minister commended the vision of providing clean energy to one of the country’s largest malls.
He said: “The solar hybrid project at Jabi Lake Mall is another example of Nigeria’s pioneering role in clean energy transition and also highlights the critical role Nigeria is already playing in the UK COP26 Energy Transition Council (ETC).”
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Ogunbiyi said: “This represents a good example of UK private sector companies like Actis implementing sustainable clean energy transition projects at scale across the African continent, with a particular focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UK’s COP26 Energy Transition Campaign.”
Llewelyn-Jones described the project as a pioneering initiative by Actis to commit to the pressing sustainable initiatives in Africa while adhering to sound economic principles. It serves as a case study for others to emulate.”
The envoy said: “I am delighted that Nigeria is a prominent member of the COP26 Energy Transition Council, which seeks to accelerate the transition to clean power as part of a green economic recovery, through enhanced cooperation.”
A principal at Actis’, Tolu Sokenu, expressed pride in the project.
Sokenu said: “As pioneers in Sub-Saharan Africa’s commercial real estate space, we wanted to show that incorporating environmental sustainability energy-efficient buildings across the continent is achievable.
“It supports our mission to reduce our carbon footprint and have a positive impact on the environment. It will also heavily reduce our reliance on the grid and diesel while providing energy savings for the mall.”
CrossBoundary Energy Head of Business Development James Shoetan expressed the hope, that the project would stimulate a mass switch to solar energy.
He said: “Now that we’ve commissioned this solar plant, CBE is providing Jabi Lake Mall with cleaner, cheaper, reliable power and with no upfront cost or technical risk. It’s fantastic to work with early adopters like Actis, who can inspire like-minded businesses in the region to make the switch to solar.”
