A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) and Granville Energy, a pan-African renewable energy company, to build Africa’s first gigawatt-scale floating solar power plant at Kainji Dam in Nigeria. This is one of the continent’s most ambitious clean-energy projects to date.
Granville Energy will be the project’s developer and builder, and Mainstream Energy Solutions will be the power off-taker in charge of acquiring and distributing the electricity produced. By establishing the groundwork for a new paradigm of large-scale, hybrid solar-hydro generation led and carried out by African enterprises, the cooperation represents a turning point in Africa’s renewable energy path.
The phased project will start with a $110 million floating solar array of 100 megawatts (MW) and grow to 1 gigawatt (GW) at full capacity with a $1.1 billion total investment. When finished, it will rank among the biggest floating solar projects worldwide and be the biggest single solar power plant on the African continent.
“Africa has the talent, resources, and vision to spearhead the global energy transition.” The CEO of Granville Energy, Tabi T. Tabi, stated that this project is just the start and serves as evidence that top-notch renewable energy systems can be designed, constructed, and run on the continent.
“Africa has never seen floating solar on this magnitude before. This project becomes a platform for African-led innovation in renewable energy when combined with local manufacturing, drone-assisted monitoring, and smart logistics,” Tabi T. Tabi added. “By empowering African talent, expanding energy access, and facilitating sustainable economic development, this partnership will drive inclusive growth.”
This project enhances the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision for inclusive, sustainable growth driven by renewable energy, lessens dependency on fossil fuels, and supports Africa’s decarbonization ambitions.
