Customer Challenge
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria conceived and implemented a unique initiative referred to as the ‘Energizing Education Programme.’ This was in response to the key challenge of providing clean, economical and abundant energy for the education sector. For decades the non-availability of reliable power, a weak electricity grid, reliance on diesel generator sets, and mounting costs of traditional energy systems resulted in a non-sustainable, non-renewable energy model which is expensive, unfeasible and a major source of pollution. This initiative envisions powering educational institutions and medical training facilities with a source of clean and plentiful renewable energy using Delta’s core solar energy technologies.
Our Solution
Delta Electronics, India, in conjunction with our EPC partner, Sterling and Wilson, focused on developing an off-grid, dedicated and independent power plant to supply clean and reliable power to 37 federal universities and 7 affiliated university teaching hospitals (FUNAI). This customized solution involved creation of a 2.8 MW microgrid plant which is Nigeria’s first-ever solar-storage microgrid project. At the heart of the solution is Delta’s PCS Micro Grid Controller (Energy Management System) including 4 units of our 1 MW PCS & and 4 units of Delcen1000 – 1MW Solar Inverters.
Outcomes Delivered
Due to the building and activation of Delta’s solution, 7,700 FUNAI students and 1,819 teaching staff now have access to clean, reliable energy from the solar hybrid power plant. The plant supports 7.5 KM of solar-powered street lights for illumination and safety, as well as a world-class renewables training center while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 80,000 KG per year. Furthermore it has resulted in significant economic savings due to the shift away from diesel power.
The newly installed system will deliver annual savings of more than $55,000 per year, with accumulated savings of more than $1.5 million across the life of the system. The overall outcome will help future generations of Nigerians to have higher standards of effective learning, greater opportunities for the future, improved institutional operations and student residency.