A cold-storage and frozen-food distribution company in Lagos has commissioned a 1MW gas-fired power plant supplied and installed by Clarke Energy.

The plant will provide electricity for refrigeration systems and other facility operations, reducing the company’s reliance on diesel generators and the national grid.

The project comes as cold-storage operators face high electricity requirements because refrigeration systems have to operate continuously to prevent spoilage of temperature-sensitive products.

Managing Director, Clarke Energy Sub-Saharan Africa, Yiannis Tsantilas, said reliable electricity is essential to cold-chain operations.

“The cold-chain industry plays a vital role in food preservation, food security, and the reduction of post-harvest losses,” Tsantilas said.

He said uninterrupted refrigeration required a reliable electricity supply and that gas-fired generation could provide an alternative for facilities with high and continuous power demand.

Tsantilas said investment in food storage, processing and distribution infrastructure would increase demand for reliable electricity.

The 1MW plant is expected to supply power to compressors and other refrigeration equipment at the facility.

Cold-storage facilities, food processors, pharmaceutical storage operators and agricultural businesses have high electricity requirements because cooling systems cannot be routinely shut down without risking product quality and inventory.

The project represents Clarke Energy Nigeria’s entry into the cold-chain and frozen-food storage sector.