Strengthen the Nigerian solar transition by replacing diesel generators with hybrid systems

• Region: Nigeria
• Sector: Renewable energy
• Duration: 2022-Active
• 6 Project partners
• Public-private partnership co-financed by the Dutch government

Dutch/Nigerian partnership to strengthen Nigerian solar transition by replacing diesel generators with hybrid systems

Statistics speak volumes

• In sub-Saharan Africa, the expenses on fuel for diesel generators is higher than on the entire power grid.
• Diesel generators are consuming up to US $50 BN worth of diesel and gasoline annually.
• 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have a higher diesel-generated power capacity than grid-connected power capacity.
• In sub-Saharan Africa, generators are responsible for 15% of all nitrogen oxide emissions.
• Generator’s emissions of PM2.5, a harmful microscopic particle, equals 35% of emissions from all motor vehicles in Nigeria.

The partnership RenewableTechNigeria
To reduce diesel consumption in Nigeria, the solar consortium RenewableTechNigeria focuses on facilitating, demonstrating, and supporting the roll-out of solar hybrid systems, specifically in the B2B environment. The overall goal is to replace the numerous diesel generators, that currently power the economy, and foster the development and implementation of renewable energy products and services in Nigeria.

Formation
The RenewableTechNigeria partnership originates from the combined ambition of the Dutch/Nigerian private sector and the Dutch Government. The project will provide bilateral aid and facilitate the aid-to-trade transition by actively supporting cooperation between Dutch & Nigerian companies and knowledge institutes, enabling them to jointly engage in the Nigerian market, whilst simultaneously stimulating the development of the renewable energy sector in Nigeria. RenewableTechNigeria is a public-private partnership of leading companies active in various parts of the solar sector.

Consortium partners
The consortium consists of a partnership between non-competing private Dutch and Nigerian players focused on solar applications, with complementary skills, expertise, and knowledge. The partnership is coordinated by Larive and Commercium Africa and includes seven other companies and knowledge institutes:

• Commercium Africa (coordinator)
• Dawsongroup
• Independent Energy BV
• Larive (coordinator)
• Rubitec Nigeria Limited
• SOSAI Renewable Energies Company
• SolarCentric Technologies
• Sustainable Electrical Energy Centre of Expertise

By bundling expertise, knowledge, experiences, products and services, the consortium aims to boost the adoption of solar hybrid solutions in the Nigerian market. Through training programs, a demonstration and research towards improved financing opportunities, the consortium wants to ensure long-term cooperation. By implementing high-quality systems combined with training programs on installation, maintenance and (after) sales services, the consortium will contribute to the transfer of technical skills, scaling of hybrid solar applications in Nigeria, and reduced use of diesel generators within the agri-food industry. As RenewableTechNigeria will be a flagship project under the new Dutch governmental BHOS strategy, scaling up will include the demonstration of solar applications in health, finance, food processing and horticulture.

“What we are going to do is take a combination of Nigerian and Dutch businesses and showcase, in reality for ongoing businesses, that the business case for solar, the momentum is now.” Wouter van Vliet, Director Larive International

Larive Group consortium experience
Larive International, together with the Larive Group have extensive expertise in developing and implementing multi-annual public-private partnerships, including cooperations in aquaculture (Kenya, Tanzania, Vietnam, Rwanda, Uganda), horticulture (India, Myanmar), poultry (Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh) and the renewable energy sector (Rwanda). Based on this experience and following the 2021 opportunities identified in the study, Larive International has been requested by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop this cluster of Dutch & Nigerian companies and support them with business development in Nigeria. RenewableTechNigeria kicked off at the Netherlands Nigeria Clean Tech event in Lagos on 2 November and will run for three years up to the end of October 2025.

Watch the TVC Nigeria News report on the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9WTM84vWJw

For any questions about RenewableTechNigeria, please contact Amber van Spronsen at [email protected] or connect with Thessa Bagu and Wouter van Vliet.