Efforts to diversify the country’s energy mix may have received the desired boost as Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja’s one-stop leisure, restaurant and retail destination, has announced an agreement with CrossBoundary Energy (CBE) to become the first solar-powered mall in Nigeria.
The mall was brought to the market by Actis, a leading emerging market investor. Actis, had previously collaborated with CBE on implementing the largest solar carport in Africa at Garden City Mall in Nairobi.
Under the deal, CBE will finance the 600kW rooftop solar plant and will sell power to Jabi Lake Mall through an innovative 15-year Power Purchase Agreement. The power offers a cheaper energy alternative and will reduce the shopping centre’s CO2 emissions by over 13,000 tonnes. Director of Real Estate and Head of Actis’ Nigeria office, Funke Okubadejo, said “We were looking for a solar solution that could produce clean power for the mall and be a sustainable, self-sustaining alternative to grid and diesel.
We are thrilled to partner with CBE to achieve this as we continue to encourage the integration of solar infrastructure across Nigeria. We hope that future generations of Nigerians can enjoy the serenity of one of Abuja’s remaining blue spaces and an important water harvest area.” Head of Business Development for CBE, Femi Fadugba, said; “We’ve reached a point in Nigeria where solar is transforming how businesses and everyday people are powering their lives. We’re incredibly proud to be supporting Actis in achieving its savings and sustainability goals with this landmark project.”
Principal in Actis’ Energy Investment Team, James Mittell, added that; “Recognizing our responsibility to wider society is central to our business and embedded into our investment processes. Cheaper and cleaner power through solar provides an unmissable commercial and environmental opportunity and is fundamentally aligned to Actis’ belief that values drive value.”
Soventix will manage all engineering, procurement, and construction activities for the project, which is expected to create up to 30 new jobs. Support for the project has come from Shell Foundation and the Solar Nigeria programme, an initiative implemented by Adam Smith International with funding from UK Aid.