Empower and AFRIGREEN partner to fund 26 solar and battery storage systems for Justrite stores across Nigeria

AFRIGREEN Debt Impact Fund has joined forces with Empower New Energy in a new debt financing initiative that will enable the rollout of at least 26 commercial-scale solar and battery storage systems across Nigeria

The initiative will deliver more than 8,000 MWh of clean energy each year to Justrite Superstores, reducing energy costs, creating jobs, and cutting approximately 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

This collaboration sees AFRIGREEN—operated by RGREEN INVEST and advised by ECHOSYS INVEST—providing long-term senior debt to finance Empower’s solar energy portfolio in Nigeria. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to accelerating clean energy adoption and advancing sustainable development on the continent.

The first stage of the financing will support solar rooftop systems and battery storage units that have already been installed by Empower and its local implementation partner, Powercell, for Justrite Limited. These installations aim to deliver stable, cost-effective power while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting Nigeria’s broader renewable energy goals.

Founded in 2001, Justrite has grown from a modest outlet with just two employees into a leading Nigerian retail chain, now boasting 22 purpose-built stores, over 900 staff, and a retail footprint exceeding 20,000 sq m.

“We are excited to collaborate with Empower in delivering impactful renewable energy projects in Nigeria,” said Olivier Leruste, managing partner at ECHOSYS INVEST. “This financing exemplifies AFRIGREEN’s role in accelerating the deployment of solar energy solutions for commercial and industrial companies in Africa. Empower and Justrite are showcasing the economic and environmental benefits that solar with battery storage can bring to Nigerian businesses.”

Empower New Energy’s CEO, Terje Osmundsen, added, “This agreement with AFRIGREEN Debt Impact Fund is a significant milestone in our mission to expand access to clean energy across Africa. By supporting projects like the Justrite solar rooftops with battery storage, we are not only reducing carbon emissions but also improving energy security and lowering electricity costs for businesses.”

Justrite founder and chairman, Ayo Aderinwale, emphasised the company’s commitment to sustainability. “Optimising our buildings to provide solar energy with storage is a vital part of our journey to build the most sustainable and future-proof grocery chain in Nigeria.”

Also read: Harnessing rooftop solar for global energy revolution

Trina Storage's Elementa 2 Pro – a 5.015 MWh energy storage system designed for ultra-long lifespan, superior efficiency, and maximum safety. (Image source: Trina Storage)

Trina Storage, a prominent global provider of energy storage solutions, has rolled out its newest product—the Elementa 2 Pro 5MWh energy storage system—across key markets in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa

The product launch has drawn significant attention from industry stakeholders, underscoring its high performance and further establishing Trina Storage’s capacity to support grid stability and meet varying energy requirements worldwide.

The Elementa 2 Pro builds upon the proven success of the original Elementa 2 line, introducing the latest advancements in cell technology and system architecture. It offers a high-efficiency, intelligent, and adaptable energy storage solution for a wide range of applications.

Durable, compact, and high-performance

As energy demand continues to grow and grid reliability becomes increasingly vital, efficient use of space is more critical than ever. Trina Storage has responded with the Elementa 2 Pro 5MWh, a solution designed to meet both performance and spatial challenges in modern energy infrastructure.

At the core of the system is a 314Ah cell with an industry-leading cycle life of 15,000, ensuring both durability and long-term economic value. The unit’s side-by-side and back-to-back compact configuration minimises its physical footprint, making it ideal for installations in urban and industrial settings. A noise suppression system keeps operational noise at just 70dB, addressing concerns in sensitive locations.

Advanced cooling and safety features

To maintain peak performance, the Elementa 2 Pro features a hybrid cooling system that keeps cell temperature variance within ≤2.5°C, even under extreme conditions. In colder climates, auxiliary power needs are cut by 30%, improving the system’s overall energy efficiency.

Safety is engineered into every layer of the design. The Elementa 2 Pro uses electric vehicle-grade cells, tested rigorously to ensure they meet the highest safety standards. It incorporates a three-tier electrical protection system and an emergency shutoff, providing robust safety coverage from the cabinet level to the PCS and EMS components.

Intelligent control and streamlined maintenance

In addition to its hardware strengths, the Elementa 2 Pro is equipped with advanced smart management features to simplify operations and cut down maintenance efforts. It offers 1:1 NTC temperature monitoring, enabling real-time oversight of individual cells and allowing for rapid anomaly detection. Its four-tier or master-slave BMS setup ensures optimal performance in parallel multi-cabinet installations.

The system also supports remote upgrades and live monitoring with a single click, reducing the need for on-site interventions and increasing O&M efficiency by up to 90%. This intelligent automation significantly lowers operating costs while enhancing reliability.

A milestone in clean energy innovation

Having earned international acclaim for the Elementa series, Trina Storage has leveraged its extensive experience from global projects to develop the Elementa 2 Pro. This latest system is tailored to meet the changing needs of the energy storage market with a solution that is both robust and forward-looking.

"The launch of the Elementa 2 Pro 5MWh system marks a significant milestone in Trina Storage's commitment to innovation and sustainability," said Wei Deng, Head of Global Product at Trina Storage. "We are confident that this advanced solution will help accelerate the global transition to clean energy."

Also read: Trinasolar advances South Africa’s energy transition

Edith Kikonyogo, managing director, Aggreko Africa. (Image source: Aggreko)

Africa stands at a critical juncture in its energy evolution. With rapid economic growth, a burgeoning population, and vast natural resources, the continent has immense potential, as stated by Edith Kikonyogo, managing director, Aggreko Africa

However, these opportunities are accompanied by significant energy challenges, including unreliable power access, environmental concerns, and the need for equitable energy distribution. According to Kikonyogo, these challenges require leadership grounded in innovation, collaboration, and a comprehensive understanding of the energy trilemma—the delicate balance of energy security, environmental sustainability, and energy access.

The energy trilemma involves three key dimensions:

• Energy security: Ensuring a reliable, affordable, and uninterrupted energy supply.

• Environmental sustainability: Reducing environmental harm and combating climate change.

• Energy access: Ensuring fair and inclusive availability of energy.

For Africa, resolving this trilemma is not just a goal but a necessity. The continent’s energy landscape is diverse, with aging infrastructure in urban areas, vast rural regions lacking grid access, and varied regional needs. However, these challenges also provide an opportunity to redefine Africa’s energy future.

Reconciling energy security with sustainability

Looking to the future, Africa faces significant challenges, with electricity demand expected to grow at 4% annually through 2026 (IEA). This growth, driven by urbanisation and a rapidly expanding population, outpaces the global average and presents both great potential and substantial challenges. However, Africa’s continued reliance on fossil fuels complicates the situation, requiring a delicate balance between addressing immediate energy needs and committing to sustainability.

This challenge is underscored by the African Union’s ambitious goal of reaching 300GW of renewable energy by 2030 (Nairobi Declaration). This target represents more than just a statistic; it is a transformative vision requiring an additional 32.6GW of renewable capacity each year—four times the current deployment rate. Overcoming barriers such as fragmented regulations, financing gaps, and lengthy permitting processes—which can delay projects by 12 to 18 months—is essential for progress.

To navigate these challenges and realise this vision, innovative solutions and collaborative efforts are critical. One of the key hurdles to overcome is the long time-to-market for energy projects. Delays often result from regulatory complexity, underdeveloped infrastructure, and investor risk aversion. Extending centralised grids to remote areas remains financially and logistically prohibitive, and renewable energy projects often face bureaucratic bottlenecks.

Advancing sustainability without hindering growth

While addressing these challenges, it is crucial to remember that advancing sustainability must not happen in isolation. Despite contributing less than 4% of global emissions, Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change. This stark reality necessitates pragmatic solutions, such as hybrid energy systems that combine renewable energy with transitional fuels. These systems not only provide reliable power for critical services such as healthcare and education but also reduce dependence on carbon-intensive sources, bridging the gap between development and decarbonisation.

In addition to enhancing energy security and reducing emissions, ensuring equitable and sustainable energy access is paramount. With over 600 million Africans lacking electricity, the need for solutions that provide equitable energy access is urgent. Decentralised solutions, like microgrids, are especially important in regions where extending the grid is not feasible.

However, achieving sustainable energy access requires more than just infrastructure. It requires a concerted effort to build local capacity and engage in inclusive planning. Global technology providers have a crucial role to play in removing barriers to energy access, providing tailored support to accelerate project viability and ensure operational success.

Kenya is on track to reach universal electricity access by 2030. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Kenya is on track to achieve universal electricity access within five years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA)

It follows ambitious implementation plans and electrification using clean energy technologies that have positioned the country as a leader in the region, according to the IEA’s new Energy Policy Review of the country.

Electricity access rates rose from 37% in 2013 to 79% in 2023, with urban areas already achieving full access, the report notes.

The Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP), launched in 2015, has played a pivotal role in bringing electricity to 9 million people in rural areas and reducing the number of people without access by nearly half in just under a decade.

Ongoing initiatives aim to connect an additional 280,000 households across the country by the end of 2025.

The IEA report also highlights Kenya’s leadership in off-grid solar, with the country accounting for nearly three-quarters of all solar home system sales in East Africa in 2023.

These off-grid solutions have become a key part of Kenya’s electrification strategy, particularly in remote and underserved communities.

Currently, one in five households uses solar-powered mini-grids or standalone systems.

“Kenya is showing how the strategic deployment of clean energy technologies and electrification in end-use sectors can significantly improve the lives of millions of the most vulnerable people in the world,” said Mary Burce Warlick, the IEA’s deputy executive director, who launched the report with minister of energy and petroleum J Opiyo Wandayi.

The report coincides with the Kenyan government’s review of its own National Energy Policy.

According to Wandayi, the Draft National Energy Policy 2025-2034 seeks to address remaining challenges associated with energy access, affordability and security, whilst promoting clean energy solutions to cut dependence on fossil fuels and driving green industrialisation.

Low-emissions technologies now form the cornerstone of Kenya’s electricity mix, with geothermal, hydro, wind and solar sources accounting for nearly 90% of power generation.

Kenya is also home to the Lake Turkana Wind Project, the largest wind farm on the African continent, and has some of the lowest cost geothermal projects in the world.

The country has long been a pioneer in Africa for geothermal energy, which accounts for almost one-third of total electricity generation capacity.

The IEA report also underscores Kenya’s efforts to modernise and expand its electricity grid.

New regulations in 2024 open transmission and distribution networks to private investment, aiming to increase competition, reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Kenya’s power networks, however, still face high losses – estimated at 23 per cent in 2023 – due to technical issues, theft and billing problems.

Smart grid solutions and better management systems are under consideration to address these losses, the report notes.

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