A US-based renewable energy power firm, Motir DuSable Power Investment
Limited, has sited its $200m solar project in Enugu State to
generate 300 mega watts of solar power into the national grid.
In the first phase of the project, the firm is to generate 100 mega
watts of solar energy which will subsequently be increased to 200 mega
watts in the second phase.
The drivers of the project which is a joint venture between two
US-based power firms have already signed an MoU with the Federal
Government of Nigeria to site the project in Enugu State with the goal
of making the state the hub for renewable energy generation in
Sub-Sahara Africa.
The chairman of the firm, Mr. Emmanuel Irono, yesterday made a
presentation of the company’s planned take-off of the project during a
performance review retreat of the Enugu State Executive Council
holding at Nike Lake hotel, with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in
attendance.
According to Irono, chairman of Motir DuSable Power Investment
Limited, “We have a joint venture that would enable us to bring this
project to Nigeria and we are licensed and have gone through all the
processes and procedure in terms of the power purchasing. Also, we
have an alliance that can help us go through the various segments
necessary for this project to be successful.
“So, today is the first day that we are meeting with the governor and
his executive council members right here in Enugu and we are very
pleased that it turned out a positive meeting”, he explained.
He further stated that the project comes in phases, adding that the
first phase will cost about 200m dollars while another phase that will
come thereafter would also cost 200m dollars. “Depending on the
capacity we can do as they allow us but our partners are willing to
consummate the project”.
On the gains of the gigantic project, he said, “Our intention is to be
able to bring more jobs, more opportunities, more innovations to Enugu
State and to Nigeria. We believe that this will be a fantastic project
for job creation and a mission critical for the Federal Government of
Nigeria and Enugu State.
“This is because we can empower Enugu State people to have access to
power. If everybody wins, it becomes a win-win situation for all of
us”, he stated.
“The state will be a collaborating partner in terms of making sure
that our investment is safe and that the money we are bringing in is
safe. They are not a financial partner. So the money we are bringing
in is hundred percent to enable us fund this project”.
Commending the governor for his warm reception and frankness, he said
the fact that the governor invited them to the open floor to talk
about the project was ‘simply amazing’, noting that this was despite
having not met him before.
Speaking earlier while declaring the 3-day performance retreat for
members of Enugu State Executive Council open, Governor Ugwuanyi
commended the development partners in the state for their successful
contribution towards the actualization of his administration’s reform
agenda.
The governor noted that the retreat was in line with his pledge made
during his inaugural speech in 2015 to give the people a new lease of
life with regard to good governance, enhanced social services, rural
development, improved security, justice, among others.
