The National Agency for Science and Engineering infrastructure (NASENI) on Monday, July 30, 2018 said it was targeting to generate 7.5 MW solar power annually to serve as alternative energy in the country.
Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, said this while declaring open the agency’s 2018 Solar Installation and Maintenance Training programme for two batches of 20 trainees each in Abuja.
Haruna, who was represented by the Director of Policy, Planning and Analysis, NASENI, Mrs Nonye Onyechi, said that the training was conceived for unemployed Nigerians and would provide alternative power solution in Nigeria.
“It is timely and pertinent that we are trying to address one of the major challenges needed to be resolved for Nigeria to continue in its part of national development.
“Many power projects are ongoing but we all know that the country needs rapid, sustained and easily deployable technologies that would produce maximum and responsive results.
“This is the reason why solar energy is one of the best options of power system infrastructure that we must pursue.
“NASENI has been on this part for a very long time and our efforts have resulted in the establishment of NASENI Solar Energy Limited, Karshi, FCT.
“The company has capacity to manufacture and deploy 7.5 megawatts solar panel per annum,’’ he said.
Haruna urged the trainees to explore the opportunity that the training provided, describing it as a suitable platform to build their capacity in installation and maintenance of solar system in homes and offices as well as improving power supply in the country.
He said that out of 833 applicants from across the country, 40 people were shortlisted and 20 selected based on merit.
Some of the trainees said that they were privileged to participate in the training.
Mr Ige Olusola, a graduate of Food Science and Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, said that the training would have a lot of impacts in his life.
“It is an opportunity for me to be empowered and in turn render community services,’’ Olusola said.
Miss Lois David, an Electrical and Electronic Engineering student of University of Port Harcourt, said that her participation in the training should encourage other women.
“This will provide me a lot of opportunities and can easily get me a job or enable me start up a business,’’ David said.
The participants are to undergo training in components of the solar system as well as installation of solar modules strings and arrays.
Others are solar installation safety and how the trainees can access capital investment for solar business.
By Ikenna Uwadileke
