REA MD, Team take Tour of the NASENI Solar Energy Centre
On the 29th of June, 2022, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo, the MD/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and his technical team visited the NASENI Solar Energy Limited (NSEL), a Solar PV Module/Solar Panel Manufacturing and Solar PV Power Developing and Installing Company located in the Karshi Abuja.
NSEL is wholly owned by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), a Federal Government Parastatal. The company has a 7.5MW/annum Solar PV Module manufacturing plant capacity which was established to evolve in three phases namely:
- Phase 1: Production of Solar Panels from 100% imported raw materials,
- Phase 2: Production of Solar panels from some locally sourced raw materials and
- Phase 3: Production of Solar panels from 100% locally sourced raw materials (including locally produced Solar Cells).
The plant produced the first made in Nigeria Solar Panel on September 10, 2011. The aim of establishing this plant centres on business creation, revenue generation, capacity building and ceding of technology.
While receiving the REA team, Engr. Jafaru Oshiobugie Mahmud, the MD/CE of NSEL commended the team for the consistent institutional changes and data-driven programmes and initiatives being implemented by the REA under the Federal Ministry of Power. After a quick presentation of the NASENI’s mandate and achievements, the NSEL team, led by Engr. Mahmud, took the REA team on a tour of the NSEL’s PV production facility.
While assuring the REA team of improved capacity in the off-grid sector in Nigeria over the years, Engr. Mahmud explained that NSEL has a functional Research and Development Unit designed to explore innovative possibilities within the renewable energy space while designing customer-centric products for every day energy access problems.
The REA MD/CEO commended the NSEL team while urging the team to expose its processes and activities for broader local and global opportunities. He also encouraged them to continue to push for globally acceptable standards and specifications while strengthening the nation’s local content. Engr. Ahmad assured the NSEL team of the REA’s support, especially in areas bordering on growth of NSEL, research and development, knowledge exchange and innovation.