Abuja -The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has provided a grant to Quaint Global Energy Solutions for a solar power project it is developing in northern Nigeria, a statement said.
The statement was issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the U.S. embassy to Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.
It said the USTDA Director Mr Leocadia I. Zak, signed the grant agreement with Quaint’s President, Mr Mobolaji Durodola, during President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the U.S.
“This project is a great example of how the U.S. and Nigeria are working together to increase electricity access under President Obama’s Power Africa initiative.
“By working together on projects like this one, we can ensure that more Nigerians have access to renewable energy,” the statement quoted the USTDA director as saying.
It also quoted Durodola as saying that “USTDA’s support was a step in the right direction for the development of much-needed clean and renewable energy capacity for Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
“Quaint is happy to receive this grant and is committed to adding value, talent and energy into the Nigerian power sector,” Durodola said.
It explained that Quaint was a Nigerian company, specifically organised to develop renewable power projects.
“They are working with a U.S. energy project developer, Tetra Tech ES, Inc. (Pasadena, California), on a feasibility study to determine the best technical configurations for the project.
“This effort will bring 50 megawatts of much-needed clean, affordable energy to Kaduna State. It also has the potential to leverage over 160 million dollars in public and private capital,” it stated.
The statement added that the USTDA-sponsored feasibility study would include the development of initial costing for the project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC).
It added that it would include the preparation of an operations and maintenance scope and budget.
According to the statement, Tetra Tech will provide training for Quaint employees to support the company’s capacity to develop and operate the project.
It stated that USTDA’s partnership with Quaint supported the goals of Power Africa, a U.S. government-led initiative to increase electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa. (NAN)