DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

MOPO+: A Novel Integrated Renewable Technology Solution to replace Fossil-Fuel Generators in Nigeria

Project disclaimer

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Description

In Nigeria, the electricity grid is not able to keep up with a growing population, as a result 40% of households own a fossil-fuel generator. There are believed to be 22 million small generators in Nigeria providing 8 times the amount of electricity as the Nigerian grid (A2EI/Dalberg 2019). This is despite the government ban to stop small generators being imported in bulk in 2015. Until recently, the Nigerian government heavily subsidised fossil-fuel, making it even harder for solar products to undercut the cost of fossil-fuel. However in May 2023 the new President (Tinbu) declared an end to the fuel subsidy in his inauguration speech. With that decree, the economics of Nigeria's nascent solar industry changed at once. The subsidy removal has thrown that market wide open. Fuel prices spiked 175% overnight, disrupting the economics of a generator-dependent nation. Fuel prices have now risen to 300% higher than before this announcement. Solar products are now able to be more competitive with fossil-fuel generators. Since 2013 Mobile Power has developed and patented a unique battery technology through installing solar-powered "MOPO Hubs" that provide energy via pay- per-use MOPO Batteries for homes and businesses. Mobile Power has already begun displacing fossil fuel across Nigeria, DRC, Sierra Leone and Liberia with MOPO Batteries that are charged on solar and rented out for 24hrs to customers. The project will test the feasibility of a new product the MOPO+. This enables existing customers to climb the energy ladder through providing more advanced clean energy provision. It will also allow Mobile Power to move to urban markets that are reliant on petrol generators and infrequent grid. Presently our operations are in rural and peri-urban areas. This feasibility project will see the beginning of a collaboration with Mobile Power and A2EI. This will enable Mobile Power to benefit from A2EI's experience of customer centred design expertise in designing products for the off-grid solar market. It will allow A2EI to recalibrate their field data on generator usage patterns since the fuel price trebled. The aim is to develop this collaboration into the second and third phase of the Ze-Gen Accelerator. Taking learnings from each stage to iterate the technology and business model of MOPOMax Plus to be able to target a significantly wider sector of the fossil-fuel generator market.

Objectives

This activity is funded under the Energy Catalyst Programme. The Energy Catalyst programme supports innovative businesses and organisations to find new commercial solutions that help provide clean, affordable and secure energy in sub-Saharan Africa, South and South East Asia. It will support highly innovative, market-focused energy solutions in any technology or sector. They must be targeted at people, public services and local enterprises who are unable to afford or access existing solutions, or who lack the the time or expertise to successfully use those solutions. Grant funding will be provided to support businesses to undertake research, development and innovation activity on innovative products or services, business models and processes. Incubation support will also be provided to help some of the businesses to take their innovations to market faster, as well as further support to enable access to investors and customers and maximise the potential created.

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Location

The country, countries or regions that benefit from this Programme.

Nigeria

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