Canadian firm to power national solar project

- Government has entered into an agreement with a Canadian firm, Skypower Energy, to build a $5 billion solar power project. The move is part of efforts to boost electricity generation in the country. Minister of Industry, Trade and Foreign Investments, Olusegun Aganga, said when completed, the renewable energy project was expected to add 3 000 megawatts of electricity to the national grid. He said the project would first be deployed in Delta State where a site had been located for the commencement of the project. “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,” he said. Aganga also said that government would also 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 minister noted that the country has signed a Foreign Investment Protection Agreement with Skypower and other foreign firms to assured them of maximum security and returns on their huge investment. Canadian International Investments Minister, Christian Paradis, who was present at the signing of the agreement, hailed the investment. Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, expressed excitement at the scheme. “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.”