EM-ONE and REA sign MoU to deploy 350MW of renewable energy projects in Nigeria
May 23, Lagos Nigeria - Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and EM-ONE Energy Solutions (EM-ONE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and deploy a groundbreaking 350 megawatts of renewable energy projects across Nigeria.
This strategic partnership between EM-ONE and REA will significantly enhance Nigeria’s renewable energy sector and further support the country’s sustainable development in line with the Federal Government’s objectives of carbon neutrality by 2060.
Adnan Rashid from (EM-ONE) and Abba Abubakar Aliyu (REA) signing a MoU at the ARE Energy Investment Forum 2024 - Photo credit ©EM-ONE
EM-ONE and REA’s collaboration
The partnership between REA and EM-ONE will be supported by a $750 million DARES Project (Distributed Access to Renewable Energy Scale-Up), funded by the World Bank and administered by REA. DARES is expected to launch later in 2024.
The collaboration will significantly increase generation capacity within Nigeria, with EM-ONE focused on developing and deploying interconnected mini-grids (IMGs), healthcare facility electrification, e-mobility, smart grids, virtual power plants (VPP) and capacity building for renewable energy across Nigeria.
Interconnected mini-grids, smart grid technologies and virtual power plants (VPP) lie at the heart of this partnership. IMGs enable interconnection between distributed energy resources (DREs) and are the most cost-efficient solution to bridge the country’s energy access gap. Leveraging smart grid technologies and VPP – the IMGs can be considered building blocks of Nigeria’s grid of the future, increasing grid visibility, optimizing power flows, and enabling the grid-interconnection of renewable energy at scale.
EM-ONE will focus on developing and deploying up to 200 MW of renewable energy capacity at commercial and industrial (C&I) sites with large surrounding communities and up to 150 MW for health facility electrification.
EM-ONE and REA’s partnership will also champion demonstration events, pilot projects, and programs to incentivize electric vehicle adoption and promote sustainable transport in Nigeria while overall building local capacity on renewable energy.
With the signing of this strategic MoU, EM-ONE joins the Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs), a new initiative under the REA. RESCOs will play an incredibly crucial role in complementing Distribution Companies (DISCOs) by focusing on utility-scale portfolios ranging from 50 to 100 MW.
The signing at the ARE Energy Investment Forum 2024
The MoU between REA and EM-ONE was signed today by REA’s CEO and Managing Director, Abba Abubakar Aliyu and EM-ONE's Director of Sustainable Energy, Adnan Rashid at the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) Energy Access Investment Forum 2024 in Lagos. REA’s CEO Abba Abubakar Aliyu commented on the partnership, saying:
“We are excited to partner with EM-ONE in this groundbreaking initiative. This collaboration builds on successes we’ve already had in working together and underscores our commitment to expanding access to clean and reliable energy for all Nigerians, particularly in underserved communities. EM-ONE’s technical expertise and our strategic approach make me confident with our ambitious targets to transform Nigeria’s power sector with renewable energy. This partnership not only aligns with our mission to enhance socio-economic development but also propels Nigeria closer to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. ”
EM-ONE's CEO, Mir Islam has commented:
“EM-ONE has been championing innovation and sustainability in Nigeria’s power sector for over a decade. This partnership represents a significant milestone for us as we launch an ambitious new target to transform Nigeria’s renewable energy sector. We are incredibly honored to partner with the Rural Electrification Agency to deliver 350 megawatts of renewable capacity. By combining EM-ONE’s technical expertise with REA’s strategic vision and reach, we are poised to make a formidable impact on Nigeria’s sustainable development goals.”
EM-ONE has been present in Nigeria for over a decade, and has successfully delivered reliable, clean electricity to commercial and industrial off-takers, health facilities, schools, and public institutions. Some noteworthy projects in the firm’s portfolio include Mabushi Solar, Kano 1 MW Interconnected Mini-Grid and University of Abuja.
About the Rural Electrification Agency
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has the mandate to improve the quality of life and economic opportunities for unserved and underserved communities through universal energy access. Energizing Education Phase II (EEP II) is an intervention under REA’s Nigeria Electrification Project that aims to implement advanced solar microgrid systems in educational institutions and healthcare facilities across Nigeria. The programme directly addresses the challenge posed by un-reliable power in education and healthcare, critical sectors for the country’s socio-economic development. The affordable, reliable, and sustainable power made possible through this programme will power effective learning, institutional operations, student residencies and access to quality healthcare.
About EM-ONE Energy Solutions
EM-ONE is an engineering and technology firm with over a decade of experience accelerating the energy transition in Africa by providing affordable, reliable, modern energy in the region. The firm’s track record includes over 320 solar project sites across Africa; 20MW PV capacity installed and 90MWh energy storage capacity deployed as well as winning AFSIA’s best commercial & industrial solar project in Africa 2021.
