By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin – The Kwara State University (KWASU), on Wednesday signed 150 million dollars Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Africa Gold Energy Solutions on solar energy.
While signing the MoU in Ilorin, KWASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah said the project would occupy 500 hectares of land both on the university campus and within Ilorin metropolis.
Na’Allah said the partnership was to find solution to energy problems in rural areas in the country.
He added that the goal of the collaboration was to set up an in depth power plant to generate 100 megawatts of electricity.
”Right from time, KWASU takes national issues seriously and as a solution institution, we always want to look for solutions to societal problems.
”So, we want to develop a system to store energy in the simplest way instead of over reliance on batteries.
”In view of this, our research will be geared towards improving storage and funding technology that is local, the one that will fit into our realities of life and also be maintenance friendly.
”So, we will be using local resources to replace imported ones so as to make it accessible to the people because once it is not expensive, everyone will be able to afford it,” he said.
Na’Allah added that the project has been approved by the state government.
”When we presented our case to Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, he said this couldn’t have come at a better time; it was a right step in the right direction,” Na’allah said.
The Project Coordinator, Royston Dorkins said the 150 million dollars partnership would be largely sponsored by international investors.
”Majority of the funds for the $150m project will come from international investors and just little from KWASU while the rest will be from us.
”We have decided to key into the initiative and embark on this project because we discovered that Nigeria is among the best countries in Africa, but still struggling with energy supply.
”So, we want to see how we can be part of solution to this big problem,” Dorkins said.