As Nigeria’s national grid continues to struggle under the weight of systemic failures, tariffs, and erratic supply, manufacturers like Royal Castle Ceramic Company Limited have abandoned dependence on public power infrastructure for a self-generated 14.8 megawatt (MW) gas power plant.

Under the leadership of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Qian Jin, the company partnered with Clarke Energy to develop an on-site gas-fired plant that now supplies stable, cost-efficient, and cleaner energy to power its ceramic production facilities. The move, Jin says, was born out of necessity.
 
“Power supply has been a major issue; we have faced frequent outages from the national grid, which disrupt production schedules and increase costs,” Jin said.
 
He added that for years, the company struggled to navigate the country’s industrial terrain, marked by unreliable electricity and surging diesel prices. The company faced chronic power instability that threatened not just profitability, but survival. However, instead of shrinking operations or waiting for reforms, the company made a decisive pivot.
 
“Unlike the unreliable national grid and the high cost of diesel, gas power plants provide a more stable and uninterrupted power supply, which is vital for our sensitive manufacturing equipment,” Jin explained.
 
According to Jin, the decision was not merely about energy availability; it was also about strategic positioning, noting that Royal Castle’s switch to gas represents a broader effort to future-proof operations, embrace sustainability, and enhance competitiveness in a global market that increasingly values eco-conscious production.
   
It was, however, revealed that the shift was made possible through a technical partnership with Clarke Energy, the exclusive distributor of INNIO Jenbacher gas engines in Nigeria, with the provision of engineering, installation and long-term support to ensure the plant met both operational and efficiency goals.

“This investment aligns with our environmental goals and increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly practices. We selected Clarke Energy for their proven expertise in gas power solutions. During commissioning, they provided timely technical support, trained our staff, and developed a proactive maintenance schedule that keeps us running efficiently,” Jin said.
  
Jin added that since the plant came online, the benefits have been immediate and measurable, noting that production costs have dropped, product pricing has become more competitive, and capacity expansion is now on the table. He added that the stability of the gas plant is also allowing Royal Castle to explore regional export opportunities and strengthen its foothold in local markets.

“Our production is now more cost-effective, and that directly improves our competitiveness in both local and international markets,” Jin said.
Jin, however, still, challenges remain with poor logistics infrastructure, high import duties on essential machinery, and customs delays continue to frustrate manufacturers trying to scale or export. But with energy security in hand, Royal Castle is now in a stronger position to manage these other systemic hurdles.

“Despite these obstacles, the Nigerian market remains one of immense potential. Nigeria offers a large and growing market for ceramic products, driven by urbanisation and infrastructure development,” said Jin.

He added that at a time when many manufacturers are scaling back operations or exiting entirely, Royal Castle’s story stands out. It is a case study in how Nigeria’s industrial sector can not only survive but thrive by confronting its most persistent barrier: unreliable energy.

“We didn’t wait for the grid; we built our future , and that decision is powering our growth today,” Jin added.
Clarke Energy’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Yiannis Tsantilas, hailed the project as a model of how industrial players can leapfrog energy bottlenecks to drive sustainable growth.