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The first solar cell manufacturing facility in Nigeria will have its foundation laid by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday.
When fully operational, the facility will rank among the biggest solar cell manufacturing facilities in Africa.
Speaking about the significance of the plant, Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive,National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, said in a statement on Thursday that the plant was a result of a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari, who asked NASENI to fully commence local production of solar panels in order to fill the gaps in the nation's electricity supply.
"With the establishment of the plant, Nigeria will now have a full solar energy production plant," claims Haruna. Nigeria will be producing solar panels with 100% local content at a NASENI 7.5-megawatt solar panel production plant in Karshi, Abuja, as an alternative energy source to reduce the strain on the national grid.
He revealed that Osinbajo will attend the foundation-laying event as a special guest of honor.
Nigeria will start producing solar panels and other electronic components with 100% local content once the Gora plant is fully operational.
