November 8, 2023
By News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology has tasked Hecate Global Renewables, a North America energy firm, to expedite action for quick electricity generation in the country.
The minister said this at the signing of MoU between Nigeria and Hecate Global Renewables, led by Ms. Catherine Mfere, Head of Business Development, Sub Saharan Africa on Wednesday in Abuja.
Nnaji told the visitors that there were up to four cities in Nigeria that the government was making efforts to complete abandoned projects in terms of solar panels.
“So, we may not need to make new ones except where what we have is different from what you are looking at,’’ he said.
He said irrespective of what was on ground, but to facilitate smooth delivery and hasten the pace of the project, if need arose, nothing should stop the company from building their own.
“We are going to provide policy support and the land, also what is important to us is that you make batteries too and we are blessed with lithium in this country.
The minister mentioned states rich in lithium while expressing optimism that it would help enhance the project.
He maintained that Nigeria needed serious minded partnerships that would go to work and set up immediately.
He said support from his ministry and ministry of solid minerals were readily available to facilitate the license to enable the firm begin operations.
The minister said the commitment of the ministry was assured as long as the mission of Hecate Global Renewables was geared towards moving fast.
He disclosed that other firms from Belgium and China were also interested in building lithium battery plants, that Nigeria was now all about serious minded partnerships.
Nnaji said: “We are particularly delighted that the company that wants to build solar panels also have capacity to build lithium battery plant.
“Like I said earlier, my interest lies on when to start and how fast you can move.’’
Earlier, Ms. Mfere, Head of Business Development of the company said they had a responsibility to reach out to Africa.
“Our aim is to cater for the market in Africa and the needs in terms of all renewables from solar to hydro, wind and other resources.
“Our main reason for coming to Nigeria is to collaborate with the ministry, to be able to work together and see which area we can help and manage in terms of energy sector.
“We have done a number of projects in the United States because that was where we started,’’ she said.
Mfere mentioned the biggest energy projects and others they had undertaken and are currently engaged in.
She said apart from solar, they also had expertise in battery storage, by manufacturing and storing their own batteries.
She said the company was looking out for African countries with loopholes to fill in this regard.
“We can help each other to bring this reality to Nigeria because I believe that in Nigeria, the market is good.
“We will start from the scratch, finance, develop, train and at the end, leave it to the original owners of the project according to the type of agreement we enter into,’’ she said.
Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, Director General of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), spoke extensively on the need for renewable energy in Nigeria and the cost implications.
The minister in a group photograph with the Hecate Global Renewal team, his technical assistant and directors of the ministry.
Abdullahi said the partnership was apt, that what was pertinent was to get it implemented as soon as possible.
“We don’t want to just sit here to talk and sign agreement. If possible, set up some implementation committee for this,’’ Abdullahi said.
MEJ Bassey, Director and Head of Department, Chemical Science and Technology Development, noted that impact on the adverse effects on the environment should be conducted.
Bassey said there should be some form of impact assessment since the project had to do with waste products in batteries.
He also spoke on operational guidelines because “we don’t want the country to be a dumping ground.’’(NAN)