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The Industrial Training Fund has begun converting its facilities in Jos, Plateau State, to solar power in a move aimed at reducing dependence on the national grid and diesel generators.
The fund said it had completed and commissioned solar installations at its Area Office and Staff School in Jos, while work was ongoing at its Model Skills Training Centre and the Director-General’s residence.
The ITF also plans to install a larger solar power system at its Jos headquarters as part of a proposed transition to off-grid electricity supply across its facilities in the state.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the fund on Friday in Abuja.
The statement read, “The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund has declared an irreversible war on darkness and epileptic power supply, unveiling an ambitious plan to take all ITF infrastructure in Jos completely green and off-grid.”
Speaking during the commissioning of the completed projects, the Director-General of the ITF said unreliable electricity supply was undermining productivity and the delivery of skills training.
He said the fund could not effectively prepare Nigerians for modern industrial workplaces while depending on an unstable power supply.
“We cannot train Nigerians for the industries of tomorrow with the power failures of yesterday. If we want productivity, we must generate our own clean power. Jos will be our model city for green energy,” he said.
At the ITF Area Office, the fund installed a solar photovoltaic system with a stated capacity of 100kWh, alongside 100kWh of battery storage and a 50kW inverter.
The ITF Staff School also received a 100kWh solar installation and 100kWh battery storage system, which the fund said would provide electricity for teaching and other school activities.
Work is ongoing at the Model Skills Training Centre and Academy, where the ITF plans to install a 350kW solar system supported by 500kWh of battery storage.
The facility, which has a maximum load requirement of about 70kW, houses training workshops, machinery and information and communications technology laboratories.
The Director-General’s residence is also undergoing a solar installation involving a 100kW photovoltaic system and 128kWh of battery storage.
The largest proposed installation is at the ITF headquarters in Jos, where the fund plans to deploy a 500kW solar system and a 1.5MWh battery system.
According to the statement, the headquarters currently has a peak electricity demand of about 139kW.
The projects come against the backdrop of persistent electricity supply challenges in Nigeria, which have forced businesses, schools and public institutions to rely on diesel and petrol generators to maintain operations.
Unreliable grid supply and the rising cost of alternative energy have also increased operating expenses for organisations, making solar power an option for institutions seeking more reliable electricity.
The ITF said it intended to ensure that its facilities in Jos no longer depended on the national grid or diesel generators for their electricity needs.
Damilola Aina is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over five years of experience covering energy, business, investment, infrastructure, and property sectors. He specializes in producing well-researched and insightful reports that inform readers and provide clarity on complex topics. Damilola’s work demonstrates practical newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a strong commitment to accurate and engaging journalism.
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