Power company to install 240kw Solar Plant, build Car Park in UNN

By Ikemefuna Ikem

Mr. Edu Okeke, the Managing Director of Azura Power West Africa Limited, an Independent Power Producer based in Edo State says it will install 240 kilowatts of solar energy and build 80 capacity car park in the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Okeke who is an alumnus of UNN disclosed this in Nsukka on Friday during the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the 240KW Solar electrification and Car Park Construction Project.

He said when the project is completed in May this year that it will provide uninterrupted power supply in all the departments in the Faculty of Engineering.

The project which he said would cost the sum of N604m is part of their cooperate social responsibility aimed at boosting power in UNN as well as to contribute to the growth of the energy sector in Nigeria.

"This is part of the company's corporate social responsibility to help boost electricity UNN, the country and encourage the use of sustainable energy.

"This project which comprises 240KW solar electrification and Car Park Construction Project will cost the company N604m, and when completed it will supply electricity to all the departments in the engineering faculty and provide conducive car park space in the Faculty.

"This is part of our contribution towards energy sustainability in the country and our target is to deliver the project in May this year," he said.

The Managing Director who was represented by Mr. Murtala Bello, Head, Corporate Affairs, Azura Power, explained further that the project when inaugurated in May will enjoy two years warranty and maintenance by the company.

Speaking, Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice-chancellor of UNN commended Azura Power for the project and said that the project when completed will go a long way in reducing the amount the university pays for electricity bills monthly.

"The 240kw Solar electrification and car park construction project is laudable and very important to the university because power is one of the major challenges we are having here.

"When the project is completed it will help in reducing the huge amount of money the university pays monthly to EEDC for electricity consumption and it will bring clean and reliable energy to the Faculty as well as contribute to reducing the university's carbon footprint.

"I commend Mr. Okeke, the Managing Director of Azura Power for using his organisation to give back to UNN
his Alma Mata," he said.

The VC who was represented on the occasion by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwo also commended the numerous intervention projects in the Faculty of Engineering by Alumni and urged the Faculty to continue to reach out to all the graduates of the Faculty for more intervention project.

Earlier in a remark, Prof Emenike Ejiogu, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UNN, explained that Mr. Okeke, the donor of the projects in 2022 during the Faculty's biannual Herbert Macaulay Memorial Lecture (HMML) series announced the donation of the solar power project to the Faculty.

"During the planning and designing of the project, the idea of using the solar power panels to construct a car park came in and the Azura company accepted it instead of climbing to building roofs to mount the solar panels.

"Today, we are here to the glory of God to witness the groundbreaking ceremony of the 240kw Solar plant and car park construction project for 4 car park ports of 10 cars each with a total capacity of 80 cars sponsored by Azura Power West Africa Limited

"When completed, all the departments in the Faculty of Engineering will enjoy a steady power supply and this will no doubt enhance administrative and research works as well as teaching and learning in the entire faculty, and help to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and mitigate climate change," he said.

The Dean, who is also the Director, Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development (ACE-SPED) UNN, said further that the HMML series has been an avenue through which the faculty is using to project the activities of the Faculty to the alumni and the general public as well as appeal and attract donor projects.

He thanked the MD of Azura Power and assured him that the Faculty would give the construction workers all the necessary cooperation to ensure the smooth execution of the project.

Other officials of Azura Power present during the occasion are, Mr. Sunny Nwachukwu, Project Manager, Mr. Onoro Dafe, ESG Specialist, and David Ekugum, Social Impact Manager, while Heads of Departments, staff under the Faculty, as well as some members of the University management and principal officers were also present during the occasion.