Access Power selects 50MW Nigeria solar plant as ACF financing winner

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The ACF is the first crowdsourcing origination platform of its kind in operation; designed to provide local project developers with the technical experience, expertise and funding required to bring their projects to life. Source: Access Power

A 50MW grid-tied solar PV plant in Nigeria’s Kaduna state has been selected as one of the winners for financing under Access Power’s Access Co-Development Facility (ACF) fund – the first crowdsourcing origination platform of its kind that provides funding to local developers. The project is expected to reach financial close in late 2017 with construction commencing next year.

Once completed, the Abiba solar project will generate 82,500MWh of clean electricity, enough to power more than 200,000 homes.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Private sector financier InfraCo Africa is co-financing the project with Access Power, committing US$1.65 million for the Abiba solar project via a convertible loan agreement (CLA) signed with asset development firm Access Quaint Solar Nigeria. InfraCo Africa’s contribution also includes a US$400,000 counter-guarantee for a 40% share of the PPA development security.

The project was selected as a winner as once completed, it will help stabilise electricity supply for customers and increase the role of renewables in Nigeria’s recently deregulated energy sector, according to Access Power.

It is situated on a 150 hectare site at Manchok and will be Kaduna State’s first solar project. It will supply electricity directly into the country’s national grid. Access Power and InfraCo Africa are also exploring potential opportunities to connect nearby off-grid communities using local mini-grids.

“Developing strong replicable relationships with organisations like Access Power enables us to multiply our impact and, by sharing risk, accelerate private sector development of infrastructure,” said Alex Katon, executive director at InfraCo Africa. “Abiba Solar demonstrates our commitment to developing infrastructure in fragile and conflict-affected locations.”

“We see this project as a gateway to the widespread adoption of renewable energy in Africa's largest economy, whilst cementing the role of ACF as an innovative platform designed to turn good concepts into bankable projects,” said Reda El Chaar, executive chairman of Access Power.

The project will be a step towards the country’s target of procuring 500MWp of solar capacity by 2025, as part of Nigeria’s greater strategy to incorporate more renewables into its energy mix to beat expensive fossil fuels. 

Read Next

August 29, 2025
US grid interconnection agreements grew by 33% in 2024, reaching 75GW, with three-quarters signed for solar PV and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, according to a new report from energy market analyst Wood Mackenzie.
August 29, 2025
Meridian Energy and Nova Energy have established a JV to build and operate a 400MW solar plant in Rangitaiki near Taupo in New Zealand.
August 28, 2025
Bahraini, Chinese, Egyptian and Emirati groups have agreed to develop a new solar and storage manufacturing facility in Egypt
August 28, 2025
Indian solar manufacturing firm INA Solar has broken ground on its fourth 4.5GW cell production plant in Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh.
August 28, 2025
Boviet Solar has completed exterior construction work on its 3GW PV cell manufacturing facility in Greenville, Pitt County, North Carolina. 
August 28, 2025
Venture capital firm Pacific Channel has launched Fund V, which targets 10GW of solar, wind, and energy storage in New Zealand.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines