Agri-Solar Deal Powers Nigerian Rice

Key Figures & Findings: Olam Agri, a major player in Nigeria’s food and agribusiness sector, has partnered with Husk Power Systems, a US-headquartered solar mini-grid developer, to deploy a 1.3 MWp solar plus storage hybrid energy system at Olam’s rice processing facility in Rukubi, Nasarawa State. Husk, which already operates over 200 mini-grids across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, will fully own and operate the solar-BESS system under a 10-year power purchase agreement. According to Anil Nair, Olam Agri’s Country Head, the collaboration supports both national and corporate carbon reduction goals while stabilizing energy supply for agro-processing. Husk’s Nigeria Country Director, Olu Aruike, emphasized that this is part of Husk’s broader ambition to deploy hundreds of megawatts of C&I solar in the region.

Statistics & Insights: The hybrid system comprises 1.3 MWp of solar PV and an 860 kWh battery storage component. Once operational, it will reduce diesel use, lower emissions, and enhance voltage stability at Olam’s facility.

Future Implications: The project could pave the way for increased solar adoption across Nigeria’s agri-industry, especially under supportive regulatory frameworks. By 2029, Husk Power aims to install several hundred MWs of solar capacity across C&I customers in Africa.

Source: solarfinanced.africa