From Ali Muhammad Rabiu (Kwara)
Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete has received a N600 Million naira grant from European Union and Lithuanian government to install 300 kilowatt of solar power project in the institution.
Speaking with journalists during an inspection visit to the solar farm of the state university, the Director, Centre for Sustainable Development, Professor Kajogbola Ajao, said the grant was won through a proposal written and defended by an academic staff of the institution, Mr. Teslim Balogun.
According to him, the first phase of the project which is a 100 kilowatts Solar Power Project worth about N114 million naira was already being installed to improve learning and research.
Professor Ajao, said the university intended to produce five megawatts of solar electricity in the next few years.
He explained that the aim is to phase out use of power generator and other high energy system.
The University don commended the leadership focus of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Mustapha Akanbi, who encouraged local and international sourcing of grant.
He noted that in the past, the University was able to attract 240kw of solar system from TETFUND, and another 60kw from Needs Assessment programme.
In a remark, the Project Manager, Centre for Sustainable Development, KWASU, who is also the coordinator of the UNESCO office chair on Alternative and Renewable Energy in the University, Mr. Teslim Balogun, said the project would save the institution millions of naira spent on diesel to power generators.