Geogrid partners foreign firm to develop hybrid power plant running on sun, water

Geogrid LightTech Ltd in partnership with Global Hydro, and energy firm based in Austria has unveiled, a compact power plant that harnesses both hydro and solar sources to produce energy for rural areas known as SmartT system.

At an event in Lagos on Monday, Marius Hager, one of the founding partners of Global Hydro, said the company which has been in existence for the past 100 years is partnering with Geogrid, based in Lagos, to bring the technology to rural communities where micro grids are sorely needed.

“Africa needs energy to develop and our company is not here to sell turbines, we are providing a total solution that will help to improve energy access for millions of people in rural communities,” said Hager.

SmartT system is an automated, hybrid power plant that can be installed in small streams and rivers to produce output of approximately 1MW. It is fitted into a container which makes it easy to be transported from one community to another.

According to Global Hydro, the use of high-quality materials and precise manufacturing ensures a long life cycle for the turbine as well as high yields. The power station is already fully assembled at the factory and can be easily and quickly set up and commissioned on site. It is backed with software HEROS3 which has been integrated into it allowing for the company to provide support even in Austria.

Dayo Sobitan, CEO of Geogrid LightTec said the system provides enough energy to help stabilise the grid with the combination of photovoltaic and hydro energy.

“As you know, all over the world there is a shift towards clean energy and this SmartT represents just that. The turbine is movable and can be adapted in different locations around Nigeria.

Investors can take advantage of this system to provide power in rural areas taking advantage of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission mini grid regulation that allows investors to operate up to 1MW of mini grid,” said Sobitan.

Representatives of financial institutions like the Bank of Industry at the event said that system resolves the challenge they had financing hydro projects due to low water levels during dry seasons which impact on energy production and payments for services rendered by power companies.

Hager said the system is also cost effective as it is calculated to be just below the cost of power produced by diesel generator.

Sanusi Ohiare, director of Renewable energy fund of the Rural Electrification Agency said his organisation would be happy to provide financing for the project due to its hybrid power advantages and the risk mitigating factors associated with the technology makes project financing easier.

ISAAC ANYAOGU