SAO Energy powered Igbokoda General Hospital, nestled in the Igbokoda Southern senatorial district of Ondo State.
Nigeria holds immense potential for renewable energy sources owing to its expansive landmass, robust winds, and abundant sunshine. However, despite this promise, the nation predominantly relies on fossil fuels to meet its energy demands. Energy is a vital component of economic expansion and development, and a nation’s level of prosperity often correlates with its per capita energy consumption.
Despite its vast potential, the energy sector in Nigeria remains plagued by shortages in energy supply. According to the World Bank’s 2022 Energy Progress Report, Nigeria has the largest energy access deficit in the world, with 92 million people, or around 45% of the country’s population, living without grid power. The prevailing challenge exists within Nigerian households where the average Nigerian home cannot boast of a steady supply of energy, with rural areas being more disadvantaged.
Aerial view of Igbokoda General Hospital, nestled in the Igbokoda Southern senatorial district of Ondo State.
Before diving deeper, let us take a look at the crux of the subject matter “renewable energy”. According to the United Nations, “renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed.” The most popular sources of renewable energy include solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, gas energy, and biomass energy. Solar energy stands as the most developed renewable energy source in Nigeria, with mini-grid and off-grid solutions now in huge adoption. Over a million homes, small businesses, clinics, and schools in Nigeria were connected to off-grid power sources such as mini-grids and solar panels, according to the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The Future of Renewable Energy
According to a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy sources could potentially meet nearly 60% of Nigeria’s energy demand by 2050. Embracing renewable energy has the potential to significantly enhance Nigeria’s carbon footprint, marking a crucial step towards sustainability.
Research forecasts indicate that by 2040, global demand for fuel and power is set to quadruple compared to 1990 levels. This surge underscores the evolving energy landscape and the urgent need for sustainable solutions. As Africa experiences significant population growth, the continent is poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the surging global energy demand.
Our team members are highly trained, skilled and passionate about social impact and this is evident by their undaunting approach to work.
SAO Energy is Transforming the Energy Sector in Nigeria
In response to these pressing needs, SAO Energy is transforming renewable energy in Africa’s largest economy by providing solar, biomass, hydro, and gas energy solutions to individuals, organizations, and communities across Nigeria. SAO Energy is one of the top renewable energy companies in Nigeria, providing affordable and clean energy solutions to rural and urban communities. .
Among our recent endeavors, we take pride in our collaboration with the Rotimi Akeredolu Foundation to establish Nigeria’s largest solar-powered dialysis center at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan. This project stands as a testament to our dedication to innovation and sustainability, thus setting a new standard for healthcare and energy integration.
The UCH Dialysis Center Solar project at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan.Project’s Electrical Specification: Four 15KW Felicity Lithium batteries. Three 15KW Smart Deye hybrid solar inverters.
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Largest solar installation in UCH Ibadan’s Dialysis Center, Nigeria by SAO Energy.
By implementing solar-powered solutions, we have managed to effectively mitigate mortality rates stemming from avoidable power disruptions.
The establishment of a solar-powered dialysis center not only serves as a vital sustainability initiative by harnessing clean, renewable solar energy to reduce carbon emissions, but also addresses the critical healthcare priority of mitigating mortality rates linked to power outages. This transition to solar power ensures a consistent and reliable power supply, effectively shielding dialysis patients from the potentially fatal repercussions of power disruptions
SAO Energy’s Commitment to Ending Energy Poverty
Ondo State is continuously plagued with a lack of power supply, some parts of the state have not had electricity supply for over 14 years. Consequently, SAO Energy is beaming its light upon the state by providing 24-hour solar supply to communities like Omolege and Okiti Ofa in Ondo State Nigeria.
Solar installation under the Eco-energize initiative.
To increase our impact further, we extended our reach to 17 Primary Health Centers in Ondo state with the provision of electricity. We achieved this through the installation of a 5KVA inverter system, smart billing meters, and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at primary healthcare centres (PHC).
Partnerships and Future Initiatives
Elevating our mission to end shortages in energy supply for the 633 million people without access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa, SAO Energy in partnership with USAID intends to power eight local government areas in Ondo State with solar solutions. This would also include the provision of electricity to 59 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) and 177 households
Furthermore, SAO Energy aims to expand its mesh-grid projects through additional green-era electrification projects in rural regions, with a focus on eradicating energy poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa— one community at a time.
