February 17, 2025

Virtuitis Solaris to build 500 solar mini-grids in Nigeria

February 17, 2025

Nigerian-based energy company Virtuitis Solaris plans to build 500 solar mini-grids in the country over the next three years, with 100 mini-grids to be constructed in the first year. The project will be funded by the International Finance Corporation and will provide electricity to at least 200,000 Nigerians across 10 to 15 states.

  • Both the government and private sector are investing in solar mini-grids. In its 2025 budget, the Nigerian government has proposed a $66.7 million allocation for solar mini-grids in selected universities, teaching hospitals, and government institutions.

  • Nigeria currently leads Africa in the mini-grid sector, with about 82 MW of solar mini-grids and 74 MW of solar home systems installed.

  • Our take: The Nigerian market for solar mini-grids is projected to grow to over $9 billion by 2030, driven by population growth and urbanisation… Read more (2 min)

Africa GreenCo Group (GreenCo), a renewable energy buyer and trader, has issued a request for information (RFI) to energy companies for its pilot solar project with battery storage in Zambia. This RFI is a preparatory step towards a competitive procurement process, which is expected to launch in the second half of 2025.

  • The RFI will seek to identify viable battery energy storage system (BESS) providers capable of supporting GreenCo’s goal of procuring BESS of up to 25 MW/100 MWh.

  • The Zambian electricity sector faces grid challenges, including an inadequate power supply, which GreenCo aims to address.

  • Our take: Zambia's electricity demand is projected to more than double by 2030 and potentially reach 10,000 MW by 2040… Read more (2 min)

The India-based International Solar Alliance (ISA) plans to enter the Tanzanian energy market. It has identified three utility-scale solar projects totalling 309 MW for preliminary feasibility studies. Tanzania currently relies mainly on natural gas for electricity generation but has recently been diversifying to solar and hydropower.

  • The ISA operates in 122 countries across the world and collaborates with governments to implement solar energy projects. It plans to work with Tanzania to help the country achieve its goal of electrifying 8.3 million people by 2030.

  • Central to this effort is the establishment of the Solar Technology Applications Resource Centre (STAR-C), a multifaceted initiative designed to address systemic gaps in Tanzania’s solar energy ecosystem.

  • Our take: We've seen a lot of talk about unlocking Africa's renewable potential, but this project has some encouraging signs… Read more (2 min)

_________//___________

Engineering students at Stellenbosch University tour Redstone CSP Solar PV Plant in South Africa

Events

🗓️ Kenya hosts International Conference on Renewable Energy Technologies (Feb 22)

🗓️ Uganda hosts ARE Energy Access Investment Forum 2025 (Apr 8)

🗓️ ARE hosts a webinar on Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) (Feb 27)

Jobs

👨‍💼 LONGi Solar seeks a Product & Solution Engineer (North Africa)

💼 Business & Human Rights Resource Centre seeks a Senior Renewable Energy & Shared Prosperity Project Manager (South Africa)

👨🏻‍⚖️ EDF Renewables seeks  a Senior Hybrid Energy Analyst/ Engineer (South Africa)

Various 

⚡ The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) and the Renewable Energy Industries Association of Malawi partner to boost decentralised renewable energy in Malawi

⚡ Somalia extends bid submission deadline for the Somali Electricity Sector Recovery Project

⚡China, Morocco launch joint green energy lab

Seen on LinkedIn 

Stephen Kansuk, UNDP's Regional Technical Advisor for Africa, says, "Despite progress, renewable energy deployment remains uneven. While 85% of installed capacity is concentrated in developed countries, Africa accounts for just 1.6%. South-South collaboration and strategic partnerships are key to overcoming financial barriers and scaling clean energy deployment where it is needed most.”

____________________