The Delta State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Canadian investor, Skypower Energy, to build and generate solar-powered electricity in the state.
This is part of a renewable energy project in which Canada is investing $5bn in Nigeria for the production of 3,000 megawatts of electricity.
A statement by the Delta State Government obtained via email on Wednesday said the deal was sealed on Tuesday.
It quoted the Minister of Industry, Trade and Foreign Investments, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, as saying that the Canadian investor, Skypower Energy, was investing $5bn in renewable energy in the country.
He reportedly spoke when the Federal Government signed the foreign investments protection agreement on Tuesday evening.
According to him, the firm will be producing 3,000MW of solar-based electricity for the national grid with the facility being deployed first in Delta State.
“Skypower will deploy first in Delta State which has taken the lead because of the enormous work the state has put in to ensure the realisation of the renewable energy programme,” the minister said.
Aganga said the government would facilitate the provision of licence to generate the solar-based electricity for the national grid with about 1,000MW being generated from plants located in Delta State.
The statement also quoted the Canadian Minister of International Investments, Mr. Christian Paradis, as saying with the FIPA between Nigeria and Canada, more investors would be encouraged to invest in Nigeria.
The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, expressed delight at the FIPA and the interest shown by the Federal Government noting that it was an endorsement of the state government’s initiative.
He said, “This is very historic and emotional for me. For us in Delta State, we have keyed into the green economy programme of the global community. The green economy is not just in enhancing the environment but also meant to empower the people.”
