India signs solar power plant agreement with Nigeria

India has signed a deal with Niegria to setup solar power plants in the country to help provide renewable power for the African state.

As per the report of Daily Trust,

“Power permanent secretary, Godknows Igali, who signed for the Nigerian government, said the country’s power sector would remain open to investment in hopes of unbundling the sector’s potential. Sutanu Behuria, secretary of the government of India, who led the Indian side, expressed his country’s interest in the provision of funds in various forms for the development of Nigeria’s power sector.”¹

Nigeria has a good potential for use of solar energy. The average solar insolation in the country is 5.25 kWh/ m2/day.²

Bharat Heavy Electricals will now start preliminary studies. It has considerable experience in the field and has been manufacturing BHEL Solar Photovoltaic cells and modules since 1983.⁴

This will be a series of power plants that has been planned for the Niger state. As per IRENA, Nigeria may be able to fulfil 20% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030.³

Reference-

1. Daily trust
2. Laurea
3. Irena
4. Bhel