Firms partner on renewable energy
admin
PowerChina/I²-ESS and Katar Communications have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in the deployment of renewable energy solutions across northern Nigeria, with a special focus on Kano State.
The agreement was formalised between the Global Director of PowerChina/I²-ESS, Sammi Zhou and the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Katar Communications, Ambassador Mohammed Salisu Ibrahim, during the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference in Lagos.
The partnership aims to accelerate access to clean and reliable electricity in underserved communities, leveraging PowerChina’s engineering expertise and Katar Communications’ strong market presence across Northern Nigeria.
According to Zhou, the collaboration represents a strategic milestone in PowerChina I²-ESS’ efforts to deepen its footprint in Nigeria while promoting sustainable development through credible local partnerships.
Zhou said: “Working with trusted firms like Katar Communications allows us to achieve our mandate, especially in Kano State and other parts of Northern Nigeria.”
She emphasised that PowerChina I²-ESS’ approach extends beyond product delivery to include after-sales support, technology transfer, and local engineer training, ensuring long-term sustainability and skill development.
“We have been present in Nigeria for more than 10 years and have established after-sales centres that double as training hubs for local engineers. This ensures ongoing technology transfer and guarantees that our partners continue to receive quality assurance at all levels,” Zhou added.
She emphasised that her firm’s long-term strategy is to empower local industries, train Nigerian engineers and expand renewable infrastructure across Africa, starting with Northern Nigeria as a focal point for scalable deployment.
“Our goal is not just to build projects but to build people and local capacity. Kano and the wider northern region are key to this vision,” she said.
On his part, Ambassador Ibrahim, explained that Katar Communications’ decision to partner with PowerChina was influenced by the latter’s global certification standards and long-standing reputation for quality.
“We are into renewable energy and we chose this pathway because of the quality and certification of PowerChina’s products. As a Rural Electrification Agency (REA)-certified company, any product we deploy must meet globally certified standards and PowerChina fits perfectly into that requirement,” he explained.
He noted that the collaboration between both firms is not new, as they have jointly implemented various renewable energy projects, including a 250kW installation and ongoing mini-grid developments for rural communities in northern Nigeria.
Ambassador Ibrahim further hinted that his firm’s strong customer base in Kano State provides a solid platform for the partnership’s expansion efforts.
“We have a huge market covering the entire Kano State and its population. Our flexible payment system allows customers to spread payments over time, making renewable energy solutions more affordable,” he said.
He was emphatic that after-sales service and customer satisfaction are central to the company’s operations, supported by a team of experienced local engineers trained under PowerChina I²-ESS’ supervision.
“We’ve built a solid reputation since 2007 in telecommunications and we’re sustaining that integrity in the renewable energy space. With PowerChina I²-ESS as our OEM and EPC partner, we are confident of delivering durable, certified and high-performance systems,” Ibrahim affirmed.
Both companies reiterated their shared commitment to promoting quality, sustainability, and capacity building in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.
The PowerChina–Katar Communications partnership is expected to play a vital role in advancing Nigeria’s clean energy transition and bridging the electricity access gap across the northern corridor through reliable, affordable and locally supported solar solutions.
