The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has launched a transformative partnership with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and Haier Technologies to deliver a 20-megawatt embedded solar power facility to the Challawa Industrial Area in Kano State.
This ambitious initiative, aimed at bolstering energy access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large-scale manufacturers, marks a significant step toward sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria’s economic heartland.
The project was formally initiated during a high-level site assessment visit led by NDPHC’s Managing Director and CEO, Jennifer Adighije, accompanied by key executives, including Executive Director of Generation, Kassim Abdulahi, and Executive Director of Corporate Services, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.
The delegation’s visit, detailed in a statement by NDPHC’s Head of Corporate Communications and External Relations, Emmanuel Ojor, underscored the strategic importance of the initiative.
The team commenced their tour at the headquarters of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), where they engaged in strategic discussions with KEDCO’s Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Abu Jimeta.
Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing electricity access across Kano and its surrounding areas, laying the groundwork for a robust collaboration to support the region’s industrial ecosystem.
The 20 MW solar facility, a collaborative effort with NASENI and Haier Technologies, is designed to provide a reliable and cost-effective energy solution tailored to the needs of Challawa’s industrial hub.
Addressing business owners during the visit, Adighije described the initiative as both “significant and emotional,” highlighting the industrial area’s critical role in driving national revenue and employment.
Adighije recalled a directive from Vice President Kashim Shettima during his visit to Challawa on December 7, 2024, where he tasked NDPHC with providing an alternative power source for the area. “This is a very important and emotional visit,” she said. “The chairman of our board and vice president of Nigeria directed NDPHC to ensure a sustainable power solution for Challawa, and today, we are taking concrete steps to fulfill that mandate.”
Acknowledging delays in the project’s rollout, Adighije emphasized that the time was spent securing credible partners to deliver a sustainable and cost-effective solution. “We didn’t want to rush in with a quick fix,” she explained. “Instead, I engaged NASENI and Haier to design a viable model that ensures affordable and reliable electricity through solar energy.”
The solar power project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader industrialization and poverty-reduction agenda, with Kano positioned as a “symbolic and strategic” hub for economic transformation.
Adighije underscored the transformative potential of solar energy for the region, noting, “I saw businesses with the capacity to create jobs and generate wealth being stifled by inadequate electricity. This should not be the case. Solar power offers us a real chance to change this narrative.”
The initiative is part of a national objective to harness Kano’s abundant solar potential, providing a dependable energy source for local industries. By delivering embedded generation solutions that bypass the traditional grid system, NDPHC aims to provide dedicated power to industrial hubs, ensuring reliability and affordability for manufacturers.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
As Nigeria continues to grapple with energy challenges, the Challawa solar project stands as a beacon of innovation and collaboration. By leveraging renewable energy and forging strategic partnerships, NDPHC is paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous industrial future in Kano and beyond.
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