80MW Solar Plant Deal Signed in Jigawa State

By Kunle Adewale

A major milestone in the power sector has been recorded as Nova Scotia Power Development Limited (NSPDL) has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) for the development of one of the first solar photovoltaic plants in Nigeria, to be located in Dutse, Jigawa State capital.

The 80 MW power plant will generate an estimated 200,000 MWh of clean, renewable energy per year, enough electricity to power over 200,000 Nigerian households.

The project represents an investment of approximately $USD 150 million. It was signed on Monday, July 4, 2016.

“Jigawa State has an excellent solar resource, which will allow us to generate electricity in a cost-effective manner,” Amit Modi, MD of Technical at CDIL, one of the project sponsors said. The project will sell electricity at 11.5 US cent per kWh.

The Nova Scotia Power project has been developed by CDIL, a Canadian renewable energy development company focused on Africa, and Business Process Solutions Consult Limited (BPS), a Nigerian strategic consulting firm.

 “We have worked very closely with the Jigawa State Government and the many stakeholders in the Federal Government to bring this project to fruition with the goal of supplying Nigeria with the much-needed electricity while caring for the environment. This project will help Nigeria achieve its carbon emissions targets, to which His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari committed our nation at the Paris Climate Change Summit last year,” Nasiru Isyaku, Managing Director and CEO of BPS, added.

NSPDL plans to begin construction in 2017 with operations beginning a year later.

“The project will bring investment and contribute to local job creation with the potential to catalyze long-term growth in Jigawa State and the broader region,” Nathaniel Lowbeer-Lewis, MD of Development at CDIL, said.