Abuja – The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Zenner, has said its solar power project in the University of Ibadan, would start working this year.
Zenner, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the project, which cost 17,670 dollars (approx. N3.52 million) , was expected to provide 10 megawatts of power supply to the university.
The envoy added that the ground breaking ceremony was expected to be in June or July 2016.
“ The solar project for the University of Ibadan is a project we have been planning together with Nigerian partners for some time.
“It is part of the Nigeria-German energy partnership which has existed since 2008.
“Within this whole field of energy partnership, and the German-Nigeria Binational Commission the, project of the University of Ibadan is a project which is very promising and I hope it will start this year.
“We plan, after all the conditions are fulfilled, the ground breaking ceremony next month or hopefully in July.
“The idea is that the University of Ibadan will by the end of the day use only energy produced by solar power.”
Zenner also explained that the university would gain several advantages from the solar project adding that same would be replicated in the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.
“ This has several advantages, first it is a lighthouse project for solar energy in the framework of the cooperation between Germany and Nigeria in the energy and power sector.
“Secondly it helps the University of Ibadan save a lot of diesel and thirdly, it is a training tool for students who study engineering.
“ This (project) will cover the need of the university of Ibadan; we also plan this as well with Ahmadu Bello University.
“The partner of this project on the Nigerian side is the Ministry of Education; the financial means exists that it can be done in Ibadan as well as in Ahmadu Bello University,” he said.
He further noted that several other energy projects between Germany and Nigeria were ongoing adding that field studies were being conducted in some states to provide alternative sources of power.
“We have, within the framework of our power cooperation, agreed on different other projects; there is one energy project which was agreed in the last meeting of the energy partnership in February.
“It is solar power project in Katsina. The Kankia solar project is 125 megawatts.
“In the northern part of Niger state, we have already set up a small solar demonstration power plant.
“The idea is that in rural areas, which are not connected to the national power grid, solar power or hydropower or wind, if feasible, can generate the power in these areas.
“By the end of the day, if one state produces surplus and they are connected to the national power grid, they can even contribute to and sell their surplus to the grid.”
He also said that the ongoing Azura gas power project in Edo was also part of the German-Nigeria energy cooperation which he said fell under the classical power projects both countries had.
The envoy further said that the energy projects both countries shared were important for the implementation of the COP21 decisions of Paris in order to reduce CO2 emissions.
“I think they generate about 459 megawatts in Azura in Edo state and that is a classical power plant powered by gas.
“But the CO2 emissions from the gas power plants are neutral, and they are done by a German company and a Nigerian construction company and financed by Nigerian and international institutions,” he said.
The Binational Commission was set up in 2012. (NAN)