Sixteen projects seeking to advance renewable energy-based alternatives to fossil-fuelled generators in Nigeria have been selected to receive a share of£2 million, alongside four Philippines-focused projects, as part of the first phase of the Zero Emission Generators (ZE-Gen) Technology Accelerator.
Problems with the grid infrastructure in Nigeria have paved the way for a thriving fossil fuel generator market, projected to reach $806.8 million by 2030.[1]
Of the estimated 25 million fossil-fuelled generators relied upon worldwide, three million generators are used in Nigeria[2]. Because of the country’s unstable power supply, there is a heavy dependence on backup generators. 43% of Nigeria’s population (85 million people) have limited access to grid electricity, turning to fossil fuel backup generators to plug the gaps in the unreliable grid connection for homes and businesses.[3]
Fossil fuel generators are ubiquitous across Nigeria’s markets and households, used to power many appliances including fans, TVs, refrigerators and lights.[4] Not only does this come at an environmental cost, but the availability of electricity can determine business survival: power generation is cited as the biggest cost to Nigerian businesses. At a household level, only having a grid connection for half of the day, requires generators for the remaining time.[5]
The ZE-Gen Technology Accelerator is a multi-stage competition with £10.8 million in funding for projects that aim to fast-track the innovations needed to effectively replace fossil fuel generators with renewable energy-based alternatives in target regions.
The Accelerator is part of the ZE-Gen initiative, a collaborative initiative led by the Carbon Trust and Innovate UK with support from the IKEA Foundation and UK aid through the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund.
The projects successfully selected for the initial ‘Discover’ phase of the Accelerator now have 10 months to explore their projects’ feasibility and deepen partnerships with local collaborators.
“The financial, social and environmental cost of continuing to run fossil fuel generators is so significant for people and the planet. Accelerating the development of renewable energy-based alternatives is vital, so we are delighted to welcome sixteen projects that have proposed innovative solutions for Nigeria to the first phase of the ZE-Gen Technology Accelerator” said James Coombs OBrien, Innovation Lead – Energy at Innovate UK.
He added that across an array of technology and business models, the projects offer innovative approaches, tailored to the bespoke needs of the target regions and local populations. “Ensuring these ideas work in practice is the crucial next step, and the projects will now assess the feasibility of their plans alongside local partners.”
Following the ‘Discover’ phase which ends on 31 March 2025, the most promising and successful projects will be selected to progress to the ‘Lift-off’ phase – focusing on industrial research and product development to test innovations.
The final ‘Flight’ phase of the ZE-Gen Technology Accelerator will focus on experimental development, involving the demonstration and validation of innovations in-country.
[1] Prescient and Strategic Intelligence, 2021: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/nigeria-diesel-genset-market
[2] The Dirty Footprint of the Broken Grid (ifc.org)
[3] The World Bank, 2021: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/02/05/nigeria-to-improve-electricity-access-and-services-to-citizens
[4] A2EI, 2019: https://a2ei.org/resources/uploads/2019/06/A2EI_Dalberg_Putting_an_End_to_Nigeria%E2%80%99s_Generator-Crisis_The_Path_Forward.pdf
[5] Stears and Sterling, 2022: https://www.imperiumng.com/assets/Sterling%20X%20Stears%20RE%20Report%20-%20The%20State%20of%20Power%20_June%202022.pdf