A Nigerian energy expert has called on African leaders to adopt extensive Public and Private Partnership (PPP) in renewable energy projects to accelerate energy transition and solve the energy crisis in the continent.
The expert, and chief executive officer of JRB Solar Investment Limited, Mr. Jimoh Rauf Badamosi, made the call while speaking at the maiden edition of the ‘Nigeria-Africa Natural Resource and Energy Investment Summit recently held in Abuja.
According to him, the private sector is currently the driving force behind much of the renewable energy projects in Africa.
“The reality on ground is that the private sector is currently the driving force behind much of the renewable energy projects in Africa. However, partnership between State-owned enterprises and private organisations will be a catalyzing factor that will transform our energy sector.
“For us in JRB Solar Investment Limited, we are interested in a partnership with the government of Nigeria which would enable us to generate power through solar energy systems to support the national grid. The sun shines on every roof and it is only fair and sensible to let it address our energy needs,” he said.
He explained that his organisation has in the past years installed huge megawatts of electricity through solar energy to power homes, rural communities and organizations in different parts of Nigeria, he maintained that sustainable energy remains the key for Africa’s socioeconomic development.
The CEO who said that his company is working to triple the number of homes it has reached across Africa in the coming years, warned that African countries must take PPP and particularly, his company into serious consideration.
“I therefore urge our governments to put these companies into consideration when contracting for renewable energy projects.
“Having such confidence in indigenous renewable energy companies will further ensure the quicker socioeconomic transformation of the continent. On our part as a private enterprise, JRB Solar remains fully committed to supporting this collective effort with data, technical knowledge, products, services and advisory capabilities,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria was home to some of the world’s best potential for clean, renewable energy which could be used to enhance productivity, create jobs and improve the quality of life for our growing population.
Badamosi said that more indigenous private renewable energy companies are coming up in Nigeria and Africa in general and that many of them have the capacity to handle big projects and are ready to partner with any government in renewable energy projects across the African continent.
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