The 3rd edition of The Solar Week Nigeria 2024: Conference & Awards, organized by SolarQuarter, took place on September 12, 2024, at the Sandralia Hotel Limited, Abuja, Nigeria. This high-profile event brought together key players from Nigeria’s solar industry, facilitating insightful discussions on strategies to expand utility-scale solar projects and explore off-grid solutions that can transform the country’s energy landscape.
The first panel, “Empowering Nigeria’s Future: Scaling Utility Solar and Energy Storage,” focused on the strategic steps Nigeria must take to scale its solar capacity to 10 GW by 2030 as outlined in the IRENA “Transforming Energy Scenario”. The panel explored the role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and the importance of international investments in overcoming challenges such as grid integration and financing.
Moderated by Prof. Baba Alfa, Renewable Energy Expert at IBB University Lapai, the panel featured insights from industry leaders such as Imamuddeen Talba, CEO of Easy Energy and Deputy President of CREN, Ruth Ifah, C&I Sales Manager at JA Solar, Adetunji Iromini, CEO of SolarCentric Technologies, Ayomide Agbola, Country Manager at Westa Solar, and John Ufeoshi, Lead of Business & Project Development at PowerGen Renewable Energy.
The second panel, “Lighting Up Communities: Innovations in Off-Grid and Small-Scale Solar,” shifted focus to the off-grid solar sector, a crucial area for Nigeria’s rural electrification. The session highlighted how PAYGO models, microfinancing, and innovative battery storage technologies are revolutionizing access to solar energy for low-income households and remote communities.
Moderated by Godbless Safugha, Managing Director and CEO of Saf-Aga Renewable Energy Limited, the panel included contributions from experts such as Enohi Ukpebor, CEO and Founder of E-Sam Energy Solutions Limited, Suraj Shittu, CEO of GreenFocus Technologies Ltd, Chinyere Akachukwu, Strategy and Investor Relations at AMDA, Noro Ezekiel, Business Development Manager at CEE Solar, and Chimaobi Omeye, Business Development Manager at ENGIE Energy Access.
These panel discussions at The Solar Week Nigeria 2024 emphasized Nigeria’s pivotal role in driving solar energy adoption across West Africa. From large-scale utility solar projects to off-grid solutions, the event underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning in powering Nigeria’s transition to a sustainable energy future.
