TheCable

Ibrahim Jibril, minister of state for environment, says the federal government was set to power nine Universities in the country with solar energy.

This, he said is part of its efforts to ensure a clean and healthy environment through the issuance of sovereign green bonds.

The Minister gave this hint when he paid a working visit to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Solar Energy Ltd (NSEL) Plant located in Karshi, Abuja.

Jibril stated that the decision by the federal government to power the tertiary institutions with solar energy was a very laudable development which is in line with the Nigeria’s nationally intended contributions to the reduction of carbon emissions in line with global best practices.

According to the minister, his visit to the solar energy plant was to identify with as well as offer the ministry’s support to the local manufacturing company in the production of solar panel.

He emphasized that renewable energy is one of the critical focus of the soon to be launched Green Bond project by the ministry of environment.

He further maintained that the issue of solar energy will encourage the use of local content which will in turn help the country to save foreign exchange as well as create employment for our teeming youths.

Conducting the Minister on the facility tour of the plant, Mohammed Haruna, the executive vice chairman of NASENI Solar Energy Ltd, noted that the plant was the first Solar PV Module/ Solar Panel manufacturing company in Nigeria.

He also revealed that the plant has a 7.5MW capacity and it can produce all sizes and capacities of solar PV module.

Haruna explained that NASENI Solar Energy Ltd was established by the Federal Government to primarily reduce cost of quality solar panel by producing solar panels that are 100% made in Nigeria.

He further said company’s products can compete favourably with any imported solar panel in Nigeria.