- Agricon West Africa Limited switched from the national grid to gas-powered electricity to boost rice production and cut costs.
- The transition has slashed its energy expenses by up to 65% while ensuring stable, efficient operations.
Agricon West Africa Limited disconnected from Nigeria’s national grid and switched to gas-powered electricity on Sunday, October 13, to improve efficiency and reduce production costs at its rice processing facility.
Founded in 2022, Agricon entered Nigeria’s rice value chain to process locally grown rice and reduce import dependence. However, Plant Manager Emmanuel Njin said frequent power outages and high diesel expenses hindered production.
“Running diesel generators was a huge financial burden, responsible for higher operating costs and lower output,” he said. The company installed a 1.5-megawatt Jenbacher gas-powered plant, supplied and maintained by Clarke Energy, Jenbacher’s authorised distributor in Nigeria.
Njin said the gas system halved fuel consumption compared to diesel and reduced emissions. “The transition has saved us between 60% and 65% of energy costs while ensuring steady operations,” he added.
Clarke Energy’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Yiannis Tsantilas, described the project as a model for energy resilience. “Food is a cornerstone of national security,” he said. “Agricon’s investment in a 1.5 MW plant reflects visionary leadership and commitment to sustainable growth.”
Tsantilas said access to reliable and cleaner energy was key to economic sustainability. “For Agricon, energy is no longer a constraint but a driver of expansion and competitiveness,” he noted.
Agricon’s shift underscores how Nigerian manufacturers and agro-processors are adopting gas-powered alternatives to overcome grid instability and diesel dependency, supporting food security and industrial sustainability.