- Tranos has begun building an 800MW solar PV panel factory to localise renewable energy production in Nigeria.
- The new campus will house relocated factories, boost capacity, create jobs, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported panels.
Tranos, a Nigerian engineering and manufacturing company, has started building an 800-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) panel factory. This marks a significant step toward producing renewable energy equipment locally in Nigeria.
The new manufacturing campus will cover about 157,440 square metres. It will also house the solar panel factory and serve as the new location for Tranos’ current Lagos factories. This move will help the company expand production, improve product quality, and meet growing demand.
Furthermore, Tranos Managing Director, Jude Abalaka, said the project is more than just construction. “Today’s groundbreaking is more than a construction milestone; it is an investment in Africa’s industrial future. This campus will scale our production, create jobs, and deliver solutions aligned with Nigeria’s energy, industrial and infrastructural ambitions.”
Currently, over 90% of solar panels used in Nigeria are imported, which often causes delays and raises costs. Tranos plans to make enough solar panels locally to meet Nigeria’s needs and export them to other countries. Producing the panels in Nigeria will also help solve supply problems and allow for custom designs suited to local conditions.
Meanwhile, the new facility will start with one production line. When it begins operating in about 15 to 18 months, it will produce 400mw of solar panels each year. Tranos plans to reach full 800MW capacity by 2027.
The project will also create jobs. Tranos expects to grow its workforce from 160 to 400 people within two years. The factory has already boosted the local economy, with road repairs underway around the site.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his Special Adviser on Energy, Jide Onakoya, praised Tranos for supporting Nigeria’s industrial growth. He said the state is working to improve electricity access and pointed to the success of solar-powered streetlights, which have cut energy costs by over 30%. He also stressed the need for affordable and clean energy in rural areas.
In addition, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), said the federal government wants Nigeria to become a renewable energy hub in Africa. He mentioned the DARES Programme and a $750 million World Bank initiative. These efforts aim to increase private investment in clean energy.
Tranos’ new factory will help Nigeria reduce its reliance on imported solar panels, support clean energy goals, and create jobs. It is a significant step forward for Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.