Empower New Energy, a Norwegian renewable energy company, has signed a $6.5 million solar deal with Justrite, a Nigerian supermarket chain.
The deal is to replace diesel generation with solar photovoltaics (PV) and batteries at 10 Justrite stores. The agreement was signed at the opening of the Lagos-Norway Energy Exchange on Monday in the presence of Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt, and Olalere Odusote, Lagos state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources.
According to the organizers, the energy exchange is designed for Norwegian companies to learn about Nigeria’s energy challenges and present green solutions. Commenting on the development, Huitfeldt said it was uplifting to witness companies with a solid background in the oil industry pushing forward in green technology.
She said investors were also getting attracted to green investments. “The past year has made it very clear both in Africa and Europe how fragile we are when energy supplies are threatened,” Norway’s foreign minister said.
Also speaking at the event, the Lagos energy commissioner said the state has intensified efforts towards attaining its goal of generating 1,000 megawatts of solar power by 2030.
“We’re going to work with anybody that’s going to give us sustainable energy in a manner that takes on a sector of the market starting from the less affluent market,” Odusote said.
