A Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) affiliate, RIPLEnergy Company Limited, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GIB EnergyX Slovakia s.r.o. to co-develop a state-of-the-art assembly plant in Nigeria to supply Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
RIPLE is a $500 million vertically-integrated renewable energy investment platform launched in November 2023 by the NSIA to drive the development, financing, and operation of projects across the renewables value chain – from upstream renewable technology manufacturing to energy generation, and downstream distribution through sub-franchising in partnership with distribution companies.
GIB (Gotion-InoBat-Batteries) is a joint venture between Gotion High Tech and InoBat based in Slovakia. GIB was launched at COP 28 in Dubai on December 5, 2023 with a focus on the EMEA regions, offering localisation platforms to suitable partners aiming to create eco-hubs and battery value-chains to meet the demand for e-mobility and for green energy from stationary BESS.
The partners said at the MoU signing that when the plant becomes operational, it would focus on providing locally assembled Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to support RIPLE’s Renewable Energy investments to supply commercial and industrial demand for 24/7 electricity supply.
They said the initiative has the potential to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape and propel the nation’s journey towards economic prosperity, fueled by responsible renewable energy practices utilising solar generation and Distributed Smart Grid.
Promoters said the project is expected to leverage GIB’s advanced technology and expertise as well as RIPLE’s local knowledge and excellent project execution capabilities to catalyse the development of a localised battery BESS ecosystem, facilitating the widespread deployment of renewable energy technologies and expanding access to energy.
Also, the plant would look to export to other regional markets, positioning Nigeria as a key player in the renewable energy supply chain and providing a vital source of foreign exchange.
Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan emphasizes the need for expansion of the nation’s generation capacity and the ramping up of renewables-backed electrification to facilitate decarbonisation across various sectors of the economy. ·
GIB and RIPLE said they would join forces to utilise Gotion’s LFP technology to fast track Nigeria’s energy transition towards Net Zero.
The quest for energy transition has resulted in increasing demand for renewable energy solutions and complementary battery storage systems for commercial and industrial demand, as efficient alternatives to address the country’s energy deficit.
Presently, the demand for battery storage systems has largely been met through imports from Europe and China, with attendant pressure on the country’s limited foreign exchange.
RIPLE and GIB said they were both committed to establishing an end-to-end battery value chain in Nigeria, starting with assembly and progressing to full-scale manufacturing and recycling.
This holistic closed loop approach, they said, would ensure sustainability throughout the battery lifecycle – from mining to recycling – thereby minimising environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of RIPLE, Yusuf Umar, said: “At RIPLE, we are excited to partner with GIB on this initiative which is a major leap forward in our commitments to sustainable energy.
“Our goal is to help build Nigeria’s industrial base commencing with this comprehensive battery manufacturing. We are committed to ensuring that our operations are efficient and sustainable. We believe this partnership will be pivotal in advancing Nigeria’s clean energy infrastructure and fostering long-term environmental stewardship”.
Chairman, GIB EnergyX, Steven Cai, and Director, Gotion HighTech both commented: “Nigeria is an exciting and fast-growing market hungry for electricity. RIPLE’s strategy is key in meeting Nigeria’s increasing energy demand and overcoming the inadequacy of the traditional energy networks and infrastructure through firm renewable energy solutions, complemented by energy storage.
“GIB will partner with RIPLE in the quest for the localisation of BESS assembly in Nigeria. Gotion is the majority owner of GIB, with a top tier competitive position in BESS and EV battery technology and Giga factory manufacturing and localisation expertise. We are excited to explore this co-development with RIPLE to create the local assembly value-chain delivering a range of BESS with our LFP technology which should significantly benefit Nigeria’s economic growth and energy transition journey towards net zero through access to 24/7 renewable electricity.”
Gotion High-Tech Co. Was established in 2006 with its headquarters in Hefei, Anhui Province, China, Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd. as one of China’s pioneering enterprises in the independent development and manufacture of new energy batteries. Gotion’s primary focus is on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) materials and cells, ternary materials and cells, power battery packs, battery management systems, and energy storage battery packs.
Its products are extensively used in the EV sector, encompassing passenger, commercial, specialty, and light-duty vehicles. Gotion High-tech has a prominent position in the BESS sector, providing comprehensive solutions to its energy storage customers. Gotion EMEA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gotion High-Tech, is incorporated in Slovakia.
InoBat is a European battery company established in 2019 and based in Slovakia, focused on R&D and manufacturing to deliver high performance, customised Batteries.
InoBat’s R&D benefits from its coveted IPCEI award (Important Projects of Common European Interest). Sector focus for InoBat is Aviation, High Performance Vehicles, Off-Highway specialist batteries, and transportation (buses, delivery vans, 2-wheelers). InoBat created its C2C (cradle-to-cradle) circular value-chain based on alliances and in line with the UN’s SDG 2030 and the EU Green Deal. InoBat has projects under development in EMEA countries with its strategic partner Gotion High Tech via its GIB (Gotion-InoBat-Batteries) JV. InoBat’s investors include IPM Group (original sponsors), Gotion High Tech, Rio Tinto, Amara Raja, Lilium, Slovak Investment Holdings, and Across Private Investments.