The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $1.2 million grant to support Nigeria’s feasibility study for a full-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The project aims to forecast Nigeria’s potential use of large-scale solar-based storage—helpful during power outages and peaks in national energy demand.
The study, to be led by the Nigeria Rural Electrification Agency, will determine viable deployment models. The BESS is part of Nigeria’s broader Desert-to-Power and National Energy Compact agreements with AfDB.
Why it matters: This public-private initiative marks a shift toward renewable energy resilience. By reducing reliance on diesel generators and improving grid stability, Nigeria can unlock downstream opportunities in manufacturing, telecom, and green infrastructure. The infrastructure could support distributed solar mini-grids that power rural communities and SMEs.
This development aligns with GABI’s Tech | Future beat and sets the stage for strategic coverage on renewables, climate-linked infrastructure financing, and innovation-led power solutions.