The United Nations (UN) launched a major solar energy project in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria located in the middle of the country, dominated by Aso Rock, an enormous monolith, a centre known for being one of the few purpose - built capital cities in Africa, as well as being one of the wealthiest.
The initiative has been implemented with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme, reflecting the cooperation between several UN agencies, inaugurated during the launch of Phase I of the “Greening of the UN House” project.
The facility located at the UN House in at Plot 617/618, Central Area District, Diplomatic Zone in Abuja, is designed to reduce electricity costs, decrease carbon emissions and encourage wider adoption of renewable technologies, as reported by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
This move demonstrates potential of solar energy to support sustainable development and improve energy efficiency.
During the ceremony of inauguration, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall, stressed that the project reflects the organization’s commitment to accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
According to the Coordinator, the facility includes a 400 - kilowatt peak solar PV microgrid, which can be scaled up to 700 kilowatts, backed by 650 kilowatt - hours of lithium - ion battery storage to ensure energy resilience.
The system is also equipped with energy management technologies based on
artificial intelligence (AI) and monitoring through the Internet of Things
(IoT), which allows the generation and consumption of electricity to be tracked
in real time.
The solar infrastructure is expected to reduce electricity costs at the UN
House by about 40%. In addition the project will decrease the grid’s
electricity consumption by nearly one million kilowatt - hours per year and
reduce carbon emissions by around 300 tons.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator noted that the project is aligned
with Nigeria’s climate commitments and with the provisions of the Electricity
Act 2023, and he also highlighed the country’s potential in renewable energy,
especially solary energy, stressing that a reliable electricity supply remains
essential for economic growth, productivity and social development.
Plans are already underway for Phase II, which will expand solar capacity to
about 700 kilowatts and bring the complex closer to achieving near - total
energy autonomy based on clean energy.
Rural
Elkectrification Agency Director General Abba Aliyu described the project as a
demonstration of the practical and economic value of renewable solutions,
noting that about $23 billion will be needed to electrify the country’s
underserved communities.
Energy Minister Adebayo Adelabu, represented by Permanent Secretary Mahmude
Mamman, stated that the initiative supports Nigeria’s energy transition
strategy, while Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal expressed confidence that the
project will inspire wider adoption of environmentally friendly energy
technologies across the country.
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