The Rural Electrification Agency and the Standards Organization of Nigeria have called for local manufacturing of solar inverters and batteries, as experts say prices of solar batteries have dropped by 50 per cent.
South West Zonal Cordinator, REA, Adewale Bayejo while speaking during a panel discussion at the 2nd edition of the Gennex Colloquim 2023 in Lagos on Friday, said although the global solar industry was fast evolving, prices were still on the high side due to lack of local manufacturing.
According to him, local manufacturing of solar batteries and inverters was the best for Nigeria, considering the current challenges bedevilling the power sector.
“In REA, most of the things we do is trying to encourage local manufacturing of batteries and inverters. But the problem is that those that are genuinely interested want their investment back almost immediately. Many do not want to invest long term.
“Again, the genuine companies that want to manufacture don’t have the funding. So, what we see is local firms majorly importing and assembling them here. And this is not good for the economy.”
He called on the SON, and the Nigerian Customs to do more in the area of assuring the quality of solar products sold in the Nigeria markets.
On his part, Director, Labouratories, SON, Dr. Richard Adewunmi, explained that Nigeria should rather engage in partnerships with foreign firms.
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