UN House Abuja Cuts Electricity Costs by 40% with Solar

The United Nations House in Abuja has successfully switched to solar power, achieving a 40% reduction in its annual electricity costs. This transition was announced during a ceremony for the Solaris project, attended by Mohammed Malick Fall, the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted this initiative as a significant step towards cleaner and sustainable energy, reflecting a global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The project features a 400-kilowatt peak solar photovoltaic microgrid, which will expand to 700 kilowatts with 650 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery storage for nighttime energy needs.

The system is designed to save between N173 million and N216 million annually, while also reducing carbon emissions by approximately 300 tons per year. Aliyu Abba, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, noted the complexity of achieving universal electricity access in Nigeria, where 143,000 communities lack full electrification.