UN, UK envoys laud Abuja solar project

UNITED Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sustainable Energy for All, Damilola Ogunbiyi and Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ben Llewelyn-Jones have lauded the 609-KW Jabi Lake Mall Solar Hybrid project in Abuja.

  The commendation is the first of its kind by the two influential offices to a fully-operational solar hybrid project for a mall in the country ahead of planned inspection of the solar photovoltaic (PV) project by Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, today.

  Commending Nigeria for the vision of providing clean energy to one of the country’s largest malls, Ogunbiyi said it will recalibrate power supply.

  “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 (ETC). 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,” he said.

  According to Llewelyn-Jones, the project is a pioneering initiative by Actis 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,” she said.

  It will be recalled that the project was launched last year by United Kingdom (UK)-managed investment firm Actis alongside the developer, Cross Boundary Energy (CBE).