By Abdullahi Idris, Dutse
As part of its efforts towards deepening industrialization and expanding renewable energy infrastructure in the state, the Jigawa State Government has signed a Joint Venture Agreement with Tesni Energy Nigeria Limited and Leda GreenPower Energy Engineering Company of Beijing for the establishment of a 100-megawatt-per-annum Solar Panel Assembly Factory in the state.
The agreement was signed on Friday at the Conference Room of the Government House, Dutse, in the presence of members of the State Executive Council and representatives of the partnering companies.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Umar Namadi stated that the project is an important step in the state’s long-term development strategy, explaining that the solar panel assembly factory would serve both commercial and strategic purposes.
“This solar panel assembly plant will not only serve a commercial purpose but will also act as a feeder to our broader plan to develop a 100-megawatt solar power generation facility in the state. Beyond the production of solar panels, the plant will also manufacture related components such as solar-powered irrigation pumps and other associated products, including nitrogen-related outputs,” he said.
The governor said the project would have far-reaching economic benefits for Jigawa State, including job creation, stimulation of local industries, and attraction of further investments into the state, assuring the investors of the government’s commitment to meeting all its obligations under the agreement.
“This makes it a very significant investment that will positively impact the economy of Jigawa State. As part of our commitment to the people of Jigawa State, this project will create employment opportunities,stimulate economic activities, and attract additional industries to the state.”
Earlier, the Team Lead of Tesni/Leda GreenPower Company, Beijing, Engr. Bashir Ishak, described the agreement as historic, saying that the project is the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria and among the first in the country in terms of the technology to be deployed.
He explained that the plant would produce up to 100 megawatts of solar panels annually and would position Jigawa State as the first location in Nigeria where this category of solar panels is produced locally from start to finish.
Engr. Ishak further disclosed that feasibility studies and
Environmental Impact Assessments for the project have been completed adding that the factory would play a key role in reducing the cost of solar power deployment.
“One of the most interesting aspects of this initiative is the cost advantage. Ordinarily, producing one megawatt of solar power costs about one million dollars. However, with the establishment of this assembly plant, production costs are expected to drop by about 50 to
60 percent.”
He further explained that the project, valued at over five million dollars, will be executed as a joint venture between GreenPower Energy Engineering Company of Beijing and Tesni Energy Nigeria Limited.
“The plant is designed as a semi-automatic production facility. This means part of the production process will be automated, while another part will be manual. This approach is deliberate. The manual component
is intended to create employment opportunities for the teeming youth of Jigawa State, while the automated section will handle the highly sophisticated aspects of the factory operations.”
Also speaking, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Engr. Surajo Musa, said the project aligns with ongoing power sector reforms by the Federal Government, which empower states to participate directly in electricity generation and related infrastructure.
He stated that Jigawa State is among the first in Northern Nigeria to domesticate the Electricity Act and establish a municipal power framework in line with national policy.
Engr. Musa explained that Jigawa’s high level of solar irradiation places it among the most suitable states for solar energy development in the country, making the project both timely and strategic.
“This assembly plant will not only lower production costs but will also create employment opportunities and facilitate technology transfer. The technology for producing solar PV panels will now be available in Jigawa State, and those involved in the production process will acquire specialized technical expertise. There are many added benefits that Jigawa State will gain from this initiative.”