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By Merit Ibe
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has commissioned a 200-kilowatt Solar Photovoltaic (PV) power system at its laboratory complex in Lagos.
The project is expected to save the agency about N15 million in monthly energy costs.
The initiative which was implemented under the Nigeria Energy Support Programme (NESP III), funded by the European Union and the German Government is aimed at enhancing energy reliability and promoting sustainable operations within the organisation.
In his remarks, Director General of SON, Mr. Ifeanyi Okeke, said the agency currently spends about N8 million monthly on diesel and N6.2 million on electricity, bringing total energy costs to about N14 million to N15 million every month.
According to him, the adoption of renewable energy will significantly reduce operational expenses and allow the organisation to channel resources into other critical activities.
Okeke described the project as a demonstration of SON’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and responsible institutional leadership, noting that it aligns with Nigeria’s energy transition agenda and efforts to promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
He explained that the solar power system forms part of the “Development of Sustainable Solar PV Systems for Productive Use Opportunities in the Laboratory Complex of SON and Selected Small and Medium Enterprises” project.
The SON boss noted that the organisation’s collaboration with NESP began in 2015 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SON and the German development agency, GIZ, for the development and implementation of renewable energy and energy-efficiency standards.
“Since then, the partnership has expanded from standards development to laboratory infrastructure, conformity assessment, capacity building and support for emerging sectors such as electric mobility,” he said.
Okeke highlighted several achievements of the collaboration, including the establishment of a calorimetric testing chamber for air conditioners at the SON laboratory complex. When fully operational, he said, the facility will be the first of its kind in Nigeria and a reference testing centre for the West African sub-region.
He added that the newly commissioned solar power system will provide the reliable and sustainable electricity required to power the specialised testing facilities while reducing dependence on diesel generators and other costly energy sources.
“Our goal is to ensure that all air-conditioning units within our laboratory facilities have access to alternative power sources, thereby improving efficiency and reducing operational costs,” he said.
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Head of Programme, NESP III, Duke Benjamin, said the solar installation would provide reliable power to the bioclimatic testing chamber for air conditioners and other heat-processing equipment within the SON laboratory complex.
According to him, the project underscores the commitment of the European Union and German Government to advancing renewable energy solutions, strengthening institutional capacity and supporting Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Benjamin said NESP’s partnership with SON since 2013 has focused on strengthening Nigeria’s quality infrastructure for renewable energy and energy-efficiency initiatives.
He noted that the programme has supported the development and adoption of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for air conditioners and provided technical assistance for the development of 13 standards for photovoltaic components.
Implementing Partner at the International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED), Dr. Segun Adaju, described the project as a strategic investment in energy security, sustainability, innovation and institutional leadership.
He noted that SON, like many organisations in Nigeria, faces challenges including unreliable grid power, rising diesel costs, increasing energy expenditure and the need for uninterrupted electricity supply for laboratory operations.
Adaju revealed that some laboratory testing processes can run continuously for up to 72 hours, making reliable power supply essential for testing, certification, calibration and research activities.
He said the project was designed to improve energy reliability and reduce operating costs through the deployment of clean and sustainable energy solutions.
The Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, represented by the association’s Director of Sectoral Division, Oluchi Odumuko, described the project as a strategic investment in standards development, quality assurance and industrial competitiveness.
He said reliable and affordable energy remains critical to industrial growth but noted that manufacturers continue to struggle with unreliable public electricity supply and rising self-generation costs.
According to him, SON’s adoption of renewable energy technologies sends a strong signal that Nigeria is committed to building a modern, energy-resilient regulatory environment driven by innovation and sustainability.
He added that the initiative reinforces SON’s leadership in promoting energy-efficiency standards, supporting environmental sustainability and enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian products in global markets.
