Asteven International Group, arguably the foremost indigenous renewable energy company in Nigeria, is set to launch the very first private sector financed comprehensive renewable energy and energy efficiency Centre in Nigeria – The Asteven Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Academy.
The academy, a 100% solar powered institute, is conceptualized to build technical knowhow and capacity, creating solar entrepreneurs, competent solar/renewable energy technicians, installers and engineers in its state-of–the-art facility equipped with the latest high tech equipment.
The Academy’s training curriculum and modules have been developed in collaboration with Global Energy Institutes. It is dynamic in nature with a strong focus on local content. It seeks to promote backward integration in the renewable energy sector and create green jobs for women, youths, and university graduates. Overall, it is set to address the skills gap that is so prevalent in the renewable energy sector in Nigeria.
The Centre will be officially opened by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, CON with the Chief Host, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Executive Governor of Ogun State.
Special guests include the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola and his counterpart from Sierra-Leone, Amb. Ing. Henry O Macaulay, Minister of Energy.
Over the years, the dearth of skilled manpower has impeded the growth of the renewable energy sector in Nigeria. Most renewable energy companies in Nigeria and indeed West Africa are presumed not to have the required technical capacity to embark on renewable energy projects. This assumption is fueled by the array of failed renewable energy projects seen all over the country.
As the first of its kind, the Academy has an obligation to provide superior, globally competitive training and specialist certifications to trainees at this state-of-the-art Academy. The Academy shall develop forward looking curricula, identify career pathways, share labour market data and resolve issues related to trainings on Renewable Energy Technologies and workforce development. This shall be done through multiple offerings, including train-the-trainer workshops and webinars, distance learning courses, and mobile laboratory training modules.
Associated with the Academy is the Centre of Excellence. This is the Entrepreneurship arm of the Academy that focuses on empowering the society in a more evolving environment dealing with energy issues. Trainees shall be provided with the requisite skillsets and opportunities to be entrepreneurs, contributing towards Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
With the launch of the Academy, the renewable energy sector is poised to grow in Nigeria powering Eco-Development and driving enhanced Green Growth Awareness. The Academy is endorsed by the various associations in the industry in Nigeria including; The Council for Renewable Energy Nigeria, Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria and Sustainable Energy Practitioners Association of Nigeria. The Academy has built a strong partnership as well with Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment, G.L.O.B.E Nigeria Chapter.
Other subsidiaries of Asteven Group International are: AS Solar World, Green Energy Finance International Limited, Wave Engineering, AS Technics and Akpoyibo Green Foundation. Together they provide comprehensive solutions along the entire renewable energy value chain.