Justrite, Norwegian Company Sign $6.5m Solar Energy Deal

Empower New Energy, a Norwegian renewable energy company, has signed a $6.5 million solar deal with Justrite, a Nigerian supermarket chain.

The deal is to replace diesel generation with solar photovoltaics (PV) and batteries at 10 Justrite stores.

The agreement was signed at the opening of the Lagos-Norway Energy Exchange on Monday and witnessed by Anniken Huitfeldt, Norway’s minister of foreign affairs; and Olalere Odusote, Lagos state commissioner for energy and mineral resources.

According to the organisers, the energy exchange is designed for Norwegian companies to learn about Nigeria’s energy challenges and present green solutions.

Commenting on the development, Huitfeldt said it was uplifting to witness companies with a solid background in the oil industry pushing forward in green technology.

She said investors were also getting attracted to green investments.

“The past year has made it very clear both in Africa and Europe how fragile we are when energy supplies are threatened,” Norway’s foreign minister said.