Lagos State government through the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, has revealed that the State is targeting 10 grid-scale farms in two years.
 
He mentioned that the State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given directives on bringing renewable energy into the energy mix. Speaking at the Gennex Technologies Colloquium in Lagos, Ogunleye stressed that renewables have a lot of potential, and emphasised that in addition to being relatively cheaper in the long run, maintenance costs drop.
 
“We are currently negotiating, and discussing with potential producers and we expect that in the next few months, some of them will take possession of their sites and then we will be ready to go, we are targeting about 10 grid-scale farms in two years,” he said.
 
He also revealed that beyond the 100 per cent street lighting target by the State government, Sanwo-Olu is driving the charge towards ensuring all its facilities like hospitals, primary care facilities, and primary and secondary schools among others don’t experience blackouts.
 
“We are trying as much as possible to make sure that culture of blackout is not present, so the easiest way for us to deal with them is in partnership with all our Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and straight from our budget to ensure that we gradually take out all of them and ensure that at the end of the day, we have a situation where in any of our facilities don’t experience blackouts, “ he said.  He commended Gennex Technologies for bringing on board innovative solutions in the renewable energy space. 
 
Speaking on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (Al) in renewable energy, he said it’s rapidly transforming the renewable energy sector, enhancing the efficiency, scalability, and sustainability of clean energy systems.
 
He stressed that as the nation harnesses Al to innovate, it must also prioritise inclusivity to ensure that the benefits of renewable energy reach all sectors of society through expanding access to clean energy, fostering skills and workforce development and supporting women and marginalised groups.
 
“As we steer the future of renewable energy, innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity must be at the forefront. Al-driven innovations offer unprecedented opportunities to reshape the energy landscape, making it more efficient, reliable, and accessible. 
 
“But, to fully realise this vision, we must ensure that growth in this sector is inclusive, leaving no one behind. Together, through smart policies, investments in education and workforce development, and a commitment to diversity, we can drive a future where renewable energy not only powers our world but also empowers its people,” he said.
 
The Executive Director of Gennex Technologies, Oluwatoyin Ilo, said AI is revolutionising how energy generation, distribution and storage is approached and positioned to be a game-changer globally and in Nigeria. 

She stressed that AI could unlock new efficiencies and drive down costs, helping to meet energy goals faster and more effectively, she emphasised that for too long, access to clean energy has been hindered by financial barriers, especially for smaller enterprises and individuals, noting that this is the time to change that narrative by embracing new models of investment, partnerships, and policy frameworks.
 
“Of today and the future, for renewable energy, it is a growing revolution, innovations are coming in and we need to key into the development, the inclusion of every segment that will make renewable energy grow in Nigeria and beyond,” she said.