Chinese energy firm promises increased presence in Nigeria to cut solar costs

As the world actively moves towards achieving 100 percent renewable energy, China’s LONGi Green Energy Technology Company Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with Nigerian energy stakeholders to develop sustainable energy solutions for the country.

Senior Sales Director for the African Region, Mr. Evan Zhang, who spoke during the visit of African journalists at the company’s exhibition hall in Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China, stated that through knowledge sharing, technology transfer and investment, LONGi Energy supports Nigeria’s transition to clean energy and facilitates energy access in the rest of Africa.

With the successful deployment of a 50MW solar farm in Kano and plans for further expansion, Zhang believed the partnership was already bearing fruit.

The 3,000-square-meter exhibition hall also serves as an educational center and exhibition of technological advances in the photovoltaic industry. In an important milestone in the global pursuit of clean energy, the LONGi Energy Plant has become a pioneer in emission-free energy generation.

This state-of-the-art facility has not only reduced China’s carbon footprint, but also expanded its impact into Nigeria and Africa through innovative partnerships and technology exchange.

Launched in 2020, the company said it has more than 5,000 employees and boasts cutting-edge technology that uses solar and wind energy to generate electricity. With a capacity of 1 GW, it has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the region, which is in line with China’s ambitious carbon neutrality goals.

According to Zhang, “after LONGi started producing solar modules, it continued to supply PV systems to Africa. From 2021 to the present, LONGi has directly supplied more than 1GW of PV systems to Africa, covering more than 30 countries, including providing clean energy to many African countries, such as power grids, industries, commerce, agriculture, hospitals, schools, and utilities.

“She is also actively involved in solar philanthropy in Africa. Through its “lighting up electricity-free areas of Africa” ​​charity, LONGi has donated over 300 kilowatts of photovoltaic equipment to schools and hospitals in remote mountainous areas, meeting some people’s electricity needs and even performing power pumping.

“By meeting urgent electricity needs by ‘teaching people to fish’, LONGi is expanding its investment in knowledge transfer and continuously generating new energy talent in Africa, providing a solid foundation for achieving energy equality, self-sufficiency and sustainable development in Africa at the earliest.”

Recall that in 2022, LONGi, in cooperation with the Nigeria New Energy Association (REAN), provided 45 days of free training in new energy to over 20 young people.

Zhang said: “LONGi works with educational institutions to provide training in new energy knowledge. For example, in 2021, LONGi donated a 300kW photovoltaic power generation system to primary and secondary schools in Malawi to provide lighting for children to study and sow green seeds.

“In 2022, LONGi and the Nigeria New Energy Association (REAN) provided 45 days of free new energy training to over 20 youth. In 2023, they donated 20 kilowatts of photovoltaic training equipment to the University of Nairobi in Kenya and provided multiple training sessions on new energy systems to university students.

“LONGi accelerates the development of various industries and provides cost-effective green energy through cooperation with local governments, partners and international institutions.”

Expressing the necessity of stable access to electricity for the development of Africa’s industry, national economy and overall development, Zhang stressed the need for closer cooperation between the company and African partners, especially in research on breaking the price monopoly.

He said this would bring the cost of clean energy down to a level that the average Nigerian can afford, thereby reducing pollution and also helping to reduce the operating costs of generators.

“Second, we can work with local partnerships, including public-private partnerships, and financial firms to reduce the cost of launching the plant and provide better service to the bomb coast and the solar system,” Zhang said.