Nigeria faces a significant energy shortage, with soaring demand creating a pressing need for sustainable and reliable solutions. At a pivotal moment in its transition to renewable energy, the country has set an ambitious target. Almost 60% of Nigeria’s energy demand is expected to be met by renewable sources by 2025.
RenewableTechNigeria is an innovative initiative, co-funded by the Dutch government, designed to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy technologies for B2B players, and focuses on solar energy and sustainable cooling solutions. Led by Larive International, in partnership with Dutch and Nigerian stakeholders, the project bridges the gap between cutting-edge energy solutions and local implementation by equipping Nigerian professionals with technical expertise and hands-on experience. With the introduction of the first demonstration PolarStore, RenewableTechNigeria is proving that seeing is believing, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient energy future in Nigeria.
The RenewableTechNigeria partnership, running from October 2022 to December 2025, has made significant strides in recent months, achieving key milestones in all project activities.
Official launch of the solar-hybrid cooling system in Lagos, Nigeria
A key milestone of the RenewableTechNigeria project is the installation of an innovative mobile solar-hybrid cooling system in Lagos. Designed to replace fossil fuel-powered refrigeration with clean, solar-driven alternatives, this system cuts carbon emissions, boosts energy efficiency, and enhances food and healthcare resilience. By providing reliable cooling for vaccines and food supply chains, it helps prevent spoilage, reduce post-harvest losses, and thereby strengthen food security.
On February 4th, we celebrated the official launch of Nigeria’s first-ever PolarStore, a game-changing solution for off-grid and rural communities struggling with cold storage and energy access. The event brought together partnership members, trainees, potential clients, and high-level government officials from both Nigeria and the Netherlands.
Key speakers included:
- Biodun Ogunleye – Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
- Abiola Kosegbe – Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
- Peter Keulers – Deputy Consul General, Consulate of the Netherlands in Nigeria
- Bengt van Loosdrecht – Ambassador Designate, Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria
Following the ceremony, Peter van Zwol (Independent Energy BV) and Jan de Waard (Dawsongroup) demonstrated the Polarstore’s cutting-edge features, showcasing its ability to provide solar-powered, energy-efficient refrigeration up to -40 º C.
As a feat of strength and efficiency, the entire event ran on the PolarStore’sown solar power, proving that this system can operate anywhere in Nigeria—even in remote areas with limited or no electricity.
Developing and delivering future-ready training
The second highlight was the finalization of the training curriculum and the first executed training. The Sustainable Electrical Energy Centre of Expertise (SEECE) at HAN University finalized a cutting-edge training curriculum to equip Nigerian professionals with expertise in solar energy and sustainable cooling. Fully covering solar PV installation, maintenance, and business development, the curriculum was officially handed over to project partner Rubitec Solar Academy, ensuring long-term local capacity building.
In the first week of February 2025, the first intensive training took place at the Lagos Energy Academy, bringing together 20 experienced professionals. Led by industry experts and consortium partners, the five-day program combined international best practices with local knowledge, focusing on three key areas:
- Renewable Energy Engineering – Technical fundamentals.
- Solar PV Systems – Installation, operation, and maintenance.
- Solar-Powered Cold Storage – Energy-efficient refrigeration.
To ensure widespread adoption and long-term sustainability, the program emphasized hands-on experience with solar-hybrid cooling systems. By equipping local professionals with essential skills, RenewableTechNigeria is building a self-sustaining renewable energy ecosystem, strengthening Nigeria’s workforce, and accelerating clean energy adoption.Want to learn more? Read about the training program here.
Driving policy for sustainable energy growth
Another key milestone of RenewableTechNigeria was the policy development meeting, crucial for creating a supportive regulatory framework and attracting investment in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector. By collaborating with government agencies, industry leaders, and institutions, the partnership helps shape policies that drive investment, set industry standards, and enhance capacity building. Backed by the Dutch government, RenewableTechNigeria gains access to key decision-makers, prompting impactful policy dialogue to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to sustainable energy.
RenewableTechNigeria partner SolarCentric took the initiative by hosting a meeting with key government officials to address critical policy-related challenges and explore solutions to advance the sector.
Key focus areas include:
- Certification & standards – Ensuring quality and safety in solar PV and cooling technologies.
- Regulatory incentives – Advocating for tax benefits and financial support to boost adoption.
- Workforce development – Integrating renewable energy training into national education policies.
- Market accessibility – Addressing barriers to make clean energy solutions more affordable.
By aligning policy with market needs, RenewableTechNigeria is paving the way for a self-sustaining, scalable renewable energy sector in Nigeria.
Looking ahead: scaling impact and expanding reach
The success of the demonstration unit and training in Lagos is just the beginning. Future programs will expand on this foundation, training more professionals and introducing a wider range of renewable energy solutions in combination with cold storage. As expertise grows, Nigeria moves closer to making sustainable energy the standard, not just an option.
Beyond training, RenewableTechNigeria is shaping policy frameworks that encourage investment and industry growth, ensuring long-term support for renewable technologies. Additionally, the partnership is driving the scaling and sales of more Polarstores, making solar-powered cold storage accessible to businesses, farmers, and healthcare providers across Nigeria.
Through a combination of technical training, policy development, business support, and real-world implementation, RenewableTechNigeria is powering a transformation in Nigeria’s energy sector—one professional, one policy, and one Polarstore at a time.
