Sterling and Wilson commissions Nigeria’s first solar storage hybrid plant
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,SAN,GCON, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria inaugurated Sterling and Wilson’s storage hybrid plant on 2nd of August 2019 as part of the ‘Energizing Education Program’ at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike-Ikwo (FUNAI) with a workshop and training centre enabling effective learning, innovations and advancement among students in areas of renewable energy. This 2.8 MW hybrid plant is Nigeria’s first solar storage hybrid project. During the construction, 20 female STEM students and local people were trained on the job to undertake various tasks pertaining to a solar plant and allied equipment installation and operations.
Around 7,700 FUNAI students and 1,1819 teaching staff will now have access to clean reliable energy from this solar hybrid power plant. The ‘Energizing Education Programme’ is a federal government intervention focused on developing off-grid, dedicated and independent power plants, as well as rehabilitating existing distribution infrastructure to supply clean and reliable power to 37 federal universities and 7 affiliated university teaching hospitals.
The FUNAI commissioning included the launch of 7.5 KM of solar powered street lights for illumination and safety, as well as a world class renewables training centre. The overall outcome will help the future generations of the country to have high standards of effective learning, greater opportunities for the future, improved institutional operations and student residency.
Speaking on this occasion, Deepak Thakur,CEO-Hybrid and Energy Storage,Sterling and Wilson, said, “Clean, economical and abundant energy is one of the basic ingredients for economic progress of a city, state or country.
Lack of energy can become a primary barrier in imparting effective learning and development to the country’s children and youth. ‘Energizing Education Programme’ to address this crucial concern for the country. We at Sterling and Wilson look at this opportunity to partner with this initiative to empower future generations of Nigeria with extreme pride and honour.”