Nigeria’s retail and manufacturing sectors are taking a bold step toward clean energy transition as Empower New Energy has signed two major solar project contracts with Jendol Superstores and Juddy-Bolema Industries Limited, marking another milestone in the country’s shift toward sustainable power solutions.
The agreements were finalized at the sidelines of the Nordic Nigeria Connect event in Lagos, with the combined projects expected to deliver 4 MWp of solar power and 3.5 MWh of battery storage, valued at about $4 million Empower’s local EPC partner, Paras Energy, will handle the construction and operation of the systems.
According to Empower New Energy, the projects are projected to save approximately 3,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, highlighting the growing appetite among Nigerian businesses for energy alternatives that cut both cost and environmental impact.
Jendol, one of Lagos’ leading retail chains, will deploy rooftop solar and battery storage systems across five of its branches providing more than half of their electricity needs.
A smart energy management system will coordinate solar generation, battery supply, and grid/diesel backup, demonstrating the scalability of distributed renewable energy in Nigeria’s commercial retail space.
“With this initiative, Jendol Superstores is taking an important step towards a cleaner and greener future. The solar partnership with Empower New Energy and Paras allows us to reduce costs and CO₂ emissions at the same time,” said Mark Akhaube, CEO, Jendol Nigeria Limited.
Juddy-Bolema Industries, a key player in Nigeria’s plastic manufacturing sector, is also turning to clean energy to reduce operational costs and improve environmental responsibility.
The partnership will help the company curb reliance on diesel generators and expensive and carbon-intensive power source widely used in manufacturing.
“At Juddy-Bolema, we want to be first movers in shifting the plastic industry toward a more environmentally friendly footprint,” the company said, noting that the new solar system will support long-term sustainability goals.
The contracts are based on a Power Support Agreement model, under which Empower New Energy provides full financing, construction, maintenance, and electricity supply over a 10-year period.
“We are delighted to expand our solar partnerships in Nigeria to Jendol and Juddy-Bolema. These two new contracts bring our investments in Nigeria to more than $30 million,” said Terje Osmundsen, CEO, Empower New Energy.
Paras Energy’s Managing Director, Yashwant Kumar, emphasized that reliable power remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth:
“We believe that access to reliable and affordable electricity is a necessity for business growth. Our technical solutions are designed to deliver exactly that.”
With these deals, Empower New Energy now has 11 renewable energy investments in Nigeria, positioning the company as a leading player in the country’s commercial-scale solar market.
The new partnerships underscore the increasing willingness of Nigerian businesses to embrace clean energy not just as a climate strategy, but as a practical solution to the nation’s persistent power challenges.
By Dare Akogun
