As the world actively marches towards achieving 100 per cent renewable power, a China-based energy plant – LONGi Green Energy Technology Company Limited, has reiterated commitment for further collaboration with Nigerian energy stakeholders to develop sustainable energy solutions for the country.
The Senior Sales Manager for African Region, Mr. Evan Zhang, who spoke during the visit of African journalists to the company’s exhibition hall in Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China, stated that through knowledge sharing, technology transfer and investment, LONGi Energy has been supporting Nigeria’s transition to clean energy and enhancing energy access to the rest of Africa.
With the successful implementation of a 50 MW solar farm in Kano and plans for further expansion underway, Zhang believed that the partnership was already yielding fruits.
The 3,000 square metre Exhibition Hall also serves as an educational centre and a showcase of technological advancements in the photovoltaic industry. In a significant milestone in the global quest for clean energy, LONGi Energy Plant has emerged as a pioneer in zero-emission power generation.
This state-of-the-art facility has not only reduced carbon footprint in China but equally extended its impact to Nigeria, Africa, through innovative partnerships and technology sharing.
Commissioned in 2020, the company said it has over 5,000 staff strength and can boast of a cutting-edge technology that harnesses solar and wind power to generate electricity. With a capacity of 1 GW, it has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the region, aligning with China’s ambitious targets for carbon neutrality.
According to Zhang, “after LONGi began producing solar modules, it continued to provide photovoltaic power generation systems to Africa. From 2021 until now, LONGi has directly provided over 1GW of photovoltaic systems to Africa, covering more than 30 countries, including providing clean energy to many African countries such as power grids, industry, commerce, agriculture, hospitals, schools, and public utilities.
“It is also actively involved in photovoltaic public welfare activities in Africa. Through the public welfare activity of “lighting up Africa’s electricity free areas”, LONGi has donated over 300 kilowatts of photovoltaic equipment to schools and hospitals in remote mountainous areas, meeting the electricity needs of some people, and even carrying out power pumping.
“While addressing urgent electricity needs through “teaching people how to fish”, LONGi is expanding its knowledge transfer investment and continuously increasing the number of new energy talents in Africa, providing a solid foundation for achieving energy equity, self-sufficiency and sustainable development in Africa as soon as possible.
Recall that in 2022, LONGi in partnership with Nigeria New Energy Association (REAN) provided 45 days of free new energy knowledge training to more than 20 young people.
Zhang said: “LONGi collaborates with educational institutions to provide training on new energy knowledge. For example, in 2021, LONGi donated a 300KW photovoltaic power generation system to primary and secondary schools in Malawi to provide learning lighting for children and sow green seeds.
“In 2022, LONGi and the Nigeria New Energy Association (REAN) provided 45 days of free new energy knowledge training to more than 20 young people. In 2023, it donated 20KW photovoltaic teaching equipment to the University of Nairobi in Kenya and provided multiple training sessions on new energy systems to university students.
“LONGi accelerates the empowerment of various industries and provides economic green energy through collaboration with local governments, partners and international institutions.”
Expressing the imperative of constant electricity to the growth of industries, domestic economy and overall development in Africa, Zhang emphasized the need for the company and African partners to work more closely together, especially in the area of research towards breaking down price monopoly.
This he stated, will bring the cost of clean energy down within the reach of average Nigerians and by so doing, reduce pollution as well as help to save cost of running generating set.
“Secondly, we can collaborate with local partnership including a Public/Private Partnership arrangement and with financial firms to bring down the cost of commissioning installation and provide better service on the bomb coast and solar system”, Zhang said.
