Energizing Economies : Minister Tours Facility As Jabi Mall Becomes First To Enjoy 24-hour Solar Electricity In Nigeria

L-R : Principal, Actis, Tolu Sokenu; Honorable Minister of State, Power Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, and the MD/CEO of the REA, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo during the tour of the facility 

The Energizing Economies Initiative, EEI of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration received a major boost yesterday with the unveiling of a 609kWp solar power facility to energize the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja by the Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR.

The project which was formally activated by United Kingdom company, Actis along with developer, CrossBoundary Energy, (CBE)

one year ago, is the first fully operational solar rooftop facility for a Nigeran mall and the second power purchase agreement (PPA) for one of Actis’ malls in

Africa.

Speaking after touring the facility, Agba commended the team of expert's vision for providing clean energy to one of the largest malls in Nigeria. He said that "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".

The Minister commended the efforts of partners in providing support for the implementation of the federal government Energizing Economies Initiative programme (EEI) .

He assured that the Jabi Lake solar power project is one of the many others to be inaugurated in Nigeria in the coming months.

On his part, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Rural Electrification Agency, the implementing agency, Engr. Salihijo Ahmad commended the team for maintaining such a sustainable design.

While explaining that the EEI supports the rapid deployment of renewable energy solutions to provide clean, safe, affordable and reliable energy to economic clusters such as markets, shopping centers and industrial facilities, he added that through EEI, businesses are already being sustainably powered across Nigeria.

Also speaking, the United Nations Special Representative of Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, Ms. Damilola Ogunbiyi, says “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.”

Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr. Ben Llewelyn-Jones, noted that, "the solar installation at Jabi Lake Mall represents a pioneering initiative by Actis, a UK managed investment firm, 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.

"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.” On his part, Principal at Actis, Tolu Sokenu, said, “We are very proud to be Nigeria’s first mall powered with solar energy. 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 grid and diesel while providing energy savings for the mall.” Head of Business Development for CrossBoundary Energy, James Shoetan, added that “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.“

There are 1,848 solar PV modules located on the roof of the mall which generates approximately 850MWh per year of electricity. Besides cutting energy costs, the solar facility will cut Jabi Lake Mall’s reliance on polluting diesel generators and will reduce carbon emissions by over 13,000 tonnes in line with the Paris agreement and sustainable development goals. Jabi Lake Mall, located next to Jabi Lake in Abuja. The mall building adopted a “green-by-design” approach, guided by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) sustainability principles to accommodate solar renewable energy.