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Nigeria’s Lagos Wants 1 GW Solar PV Capacity

World Bank To Back Lagos’ Plans To Realize 1 GW Distributed PV By 2030

Anu Bhambhani
  • Lagos in Nigeria aims to install 1 GW of distributed solar PV capacity in the state by 2030
  • It sees it coming up, with support from the World Bank, in the form of rooftop solar projects for the C&I, residential and government-owned buildings
  • Over the next 5 years, the plan is to bring online 500 MW of this capacity for $350 million to $700 million investment

The Nigerian state of Lagos is planning to build 1 GW solar PV capacity by 2030, to address the demand supply deficit for grid-based electricity, and the World Bank is to help it implement it in the form of distributed PV (DPV) projects.

Local media reported State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Olalere Odusote as confirming the development during a 1-day workshop for various stakeholders, including the World Bank.

Lagos is currently experiencing a demand-grid supply deficit estimated at 33 TWh to 43 TWh, and it is exploring rooftop solar as a potential solution.

Of this 1 GW capacity, the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment is expected to realize 60% of this capacity, with both residential and government-owned buildings taking up 20% each.

Odusote was quoted as stating, "The funding requirement for deployment of about 500 MW of solar DPV in the next 5 years is estimated at $350 million to $700 million. It is envisioned that this would be financed through a mix of grants, equity, and concessionary debt designed specifically for various consumer segments."

Back in February 2021, Singapore's B&S Power Holding and Nigeria's Sunnyfred Global said they will build a 200 MW solar power project in Delta state claiming it to be the largest solar PV farm in all of West Africa (see 200 MW 'Largest' Solar PV Farm In West Africa).