Olam Agri and Husk Energy have introduced a groundbreaking industrial and industrial (C&I) photo voltaic undertaking in Nigeria’s rice-producing area. This initiative will speed up the transition of agriculture to sustainable power infrastructure, considerably decreasing reliance on costly and polluting diesel technology.
Below the partnership, Husk will deploy a 1.3 MWp photo voltaic photovoltaic (PV) system, built-in with an 860 kWh battery power storage system (BESS), at Olam Agri’s rice operations in Rukubi, Nasarawa State. This shift to solar energy not solely represents a big step in Olam Agri’s efforts to chop diesel consumption but in addition in direction of a extra sustainable and cleaner power future. Husk will provide energy to Olam Agri underneath a 10-year energy buy settlement (PPA). The solar-battery hybrid system will improve voltage stability, guaranteeing a dependable energy provide whereas delivering gas price financial savings and considerably decreasing carbon emissions.
This newest initiative builds on Olam Agri’s broader dedication to integrating sustainable power options throughout its operations in Nigeria and past. In 2024, the Olam Agri rice farm launched a photo voltaic farm to energy its mill operations, marking a milestone in its journey towards clear power. Over the previous two years, Olam Agri has additional expanded its renewable power efforts. Past photo voltaic, Olam Agri is implementing extra energy-saving initiatives, together with bettering power effectivity throughout its factories, adopting cleaner-burning fuels, and optimizing manufacturing processes to attenuate waste and emissions. These efforts align with Nigeria’s renewable power targets and contribute to the worldwide push for sustainable agricultural and meals manufacturing.
Talking on behalf of Olam Agri in Nigeria, Anil Nair, Nation Head, emphasised the firm’s unwavering dedication to sustainability, “Sustainability is on the coronary heart of Olam Agri’s operations, and this partnership with Husk Energy is a big step in direction of decreasing our carbon footprint whereas guaranteeing a secure and cost-effective power provide. By transitioning to solar energy, we’re bettering the effectivity of our rice manufacturing in Rukubi and contributing to Nigeria’s broader renewable power targets. By implementing renewable power options in Nigeria, Olam Agri is not only assembly its personal wants however inspiring others to comply with go well with and assist drive sustainability within the agricultural sector throughout Africa and past.”
Nigeria’s authorities insurance policies and rules additional assist the partnership. These insurance policies encourage private-sector funding in renewable power and promote photo voltaic adoption in industrial and agricultural sectors. These insurance policies are essential in enabling corporations like Olam Agri to combine clear power options on a scale.
Olu Aruike, Husk’s Nation Director, highlighted Husk’s management within the sector, “In addition to being the market chief in Nigeria’s group photo voltaic mini-grid business, Husk is dedicated to partnering with industrial & industrial (C&I) companies to decarbonize key sectors of Nigeria’s financial system, together with agriculture. The partnership with Olam Agri aligns with Husk’s broader purpose of putting in tons of of MWs of C&I photo voltaic capability in Nigeria and different areas of Sub-Saharan Africa over the subsequent 5 years.”
Nigeria’s C&I photo voltaic market is quickly increasing, with over 550MW of recent photo voltaic capability anticipated to be added between 2025 and 2029. This partnership underscores Husk’s mission to present renewable power options for companies and industries, serving to speed up Nigeria’s transition from diesel to solar energy.
By driving sustainability at scale, Husk and Olam Agri are setting a precedent for the adoption of clear power in agriculture and industrial sectors—not simply in Nigeria however throughout Africa and past.
