NIGERIA – Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB Plc), subsidiary of Heineken International, has inked another green energy agreement with CrossBoundary Energy, a developer, owner, and operator of distributed renewable energy solutions for businesses across Africa, to deliver clean energy that will cover the electricity needs of its two facilities i.e., Ibandan and Ama breweries.
Under the project, valued at the sum of US$10 million, CrossBoundary Energy will expand the current renewable energy system at NB’s Ibadan Brewery from a 663 kWp solar PV plant to a hybrid solar-plus-storage facility consisting of a 3 MWp solar PV system and a 2 MW/2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).
The initial 663 kWp solar PV plant was also installed by CrossBoundary, a first of its kind in Nigeria commissioned in 2021.
Meanwhile, its Ama brewery will receive a 4 MWp solar PV plant and a 2 MW/2 MWh BESS.
The solar plants combined will supply approximately 10 GWh annually to the breweries at a significant discount to their current cost of power and will reduce the sites’ CO2 emissions by 100,000 tonnes over the lifespan of the plants.
Hans Essaadi, Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc said, “We are delighted to be a pioneer in the adoption of solar energy in Nigeria. These additional solar plants will provide a significant portion of our electricity needs and put us well on our way to Carbon Neutrality.
“Expanding our renewable energy capabilities will ensure that Nigeria Breweries delivers on our environmental commitments under our Better A Better World (BABW) Sustainability initiative, and is in line with the global Net Zero targets set by our parent company HEINEKEN.”
In line with the Dutch company’s sustainability goal, the brewer recently launched a solar power plant at its South African operations, boasting of 14,000 panels, having a significant 6.5MW of power, targeted to provide 30% of the brewery’s electricity demand.
CrossBoundary Energy will fully finance the development and construction of the two renewable energy facilities, and will operate them as part of a 15-year solar services agreement with the beverage maker.
Under the agreement, NB will only pay for solar power produced, receiving a single monthly bill that incorporates all maintenance, monitoring, insurance, and financing costs.
James Shoetan, Chief Commercial Officer for CrossBoundary Energy said, “We’re ecstatic to continue supporting Nigerian Breweries’ sustainability goals and to be providing multiple breweries with cleaner, cheaper power with no upfront investment or technical risk.
“CrossBoundary Energy is encouraged to see the expansion of the flagship project at NB Ibadan thereby greatly increasing its sustainable footprint.”
CrossBoundary Energy has engaged Soventix to design and build both solar plants, and DHYBRID Power Systems to design and supply the BESS and hybrid control system for both projects.
Upon completion of construction, Soventix will provide operations and maintenance services for both facilities.
Alexandros Aris Papachristou, General Manager for Soventix in Nigeria said, “We are grateful that we, as an Energy Solutions partner for Nigerian Breweries and CrossBoundary Energy can contribute to the renewable goals of Nigerian Breweries with our custom-made energy solutions and best-in-class operations and maintenance operations.”
The projects will support the local employment of approximately 80 people during the construction phase, and at least two dozen people when the plants are operational.
It will also enable private direct investment to support Nigeria’s recently reaffirmed commitment to net zero by 2060.
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