Mainstream Energy, Granville Energy Partner To Build 100 MW Floating Solar Plant At Kainji Hydropower Station

Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) has signed a partnership agreement with Granville Energy (Pty) Limited to design, finance, build, and operate a 100-megawatt (MW) floating solar power plant at the Kainji Hydropower Plant in Niger State. The agreement was formalised during a signing ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday. The project represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s renewable energy development, combining solar and hydropower technologies to enhance grid stability, improve power access, and support the nation’s clean energy transition.

Speaking at the event, Sani Bello, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mainstream Energy Solutions, said the initiative is a major step toward transforming Nigeria’s power landscape through sustainable energy solutions. “This 100 MW floating solar project embodies our commitment to increasing power generation while promoting environmentally friendly and socially responsible energy,” Bello stated. “Once operational, it will supply clean and reliable electricity to thousands of Nigerian homes and businesses, advancing our mission of powering economic growth in an eco-conscious manner.” He added that the agreement aligns with MESL’s renewable energy strategy and Corporate Social Responsibility objectives.

Government Endorses Project’s Renewable Impact

Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), described the agreement as a key step toward expanding Nigeria’s renewable energy mix. “Nigeria still has the highest number of people without access to electricity, especially in rural communities,” Aliyu said. “Distributed renewable energy remains the most cost-effective and sustainable solution to bridge this gap.”

He noted that the planned 100 MW floating solar facility would make a “significant contribution” to Nigeria’s renewable generation capacity. “Apart from the Azura power project and the Zungeru hydropower station, there have been few large renewable additions to the national grid,” he said. Aliyu added that the REA is currently working to inject about 188.4 MW of renewable power through interconnected mini-grids, including Nigeria’s first floating solar installation at the University of Lagos.

He further urged project developers to incorporate a dedicated distribution network, SCADA system, and metering infrastructure to ensure commercial sustainability. “This is an innovative and complex framework that must be encouraged. REA is keen to collaborate and learn from this initiative as it represents a major advancement in hybrid renewable development,” he added.

A Pan-African Renewable Collaboration

Tabi T. Tabi, Chief Executive Officer of Granville Energy, said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between the two companies, with a vision to scale the project to 1,000 MW (1 gigawatt). “Our immediate goal is to deploy the first 100 MW phase swiftly, integrating solar and hydro energy to enhance reliability,” Tabi explained. “This partnership between Nigeria and South Africa showcases what African collaboration can achieve in clean energy innovation.”

He said the project would use high-efficiency solar panels installed directly on the Kainji reservoir, enabling a hybrid system that balances generation between solar, hydro, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). “Floating solar also supports water conservation by reducing reservoir evaporation—critical for a nation balancing energy production with agricultural and domestic water needs,” he added.

Tabi said the initiative’s full 1,000 MW capacity will substantially reduce carbon emissions and strengthen Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and its long-term climate targets.