…Justrite signs $11 million deal
A growing number of supermarket chains are turning to solar energy systems to fix their power challenges.
Faced with exorbitant diesel costs and frequent grid collapses, retailers are investing in solar power systems to reduce operational expenses, ensure product freshness, and improve customer experience.
For supermarkets, which rely heavily on refrigeration and lighting, unstable power translates to massive diesel expenditures.
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A BusinessDay survey showed a medium-sized supermarket in Lagos spends between N500,000 to N1 million monthly on diesel, a cost that eats deep into profit margins.
“Before we installed solar, we were spending almost N800,000 every month on diesel,” said Adeola Ogunlesi, manager of a leading supermarket chain in Ikeja, Lagos.
“Now, with a hybrid solar system, our diesel consumption has dropped by 70 percent, and we have uninterrupted power.”
Solar adoption on the rise
Industry data show a surge in commercial solar installations over the past three years. Energy providers report that demand from supermarkets, retail outlets, and cold storage facilities has grown by over 200 percent since 2021.
Companies like Arnergy Solar, Rensource, and Starsight Energy are leading the charge, offering tailored solar solutions to retailers. These systems typically combine solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, and inverters to provide 24/7 power with minimal reliance on the grid or generators.
“Supermarkets need stable electricity more than most businesses because of refrigeration needs,” said Oluwole Eweje, CEO of Blue-line Energy. “We’ve seen a 70 percent increase in inquiries from retail businesses in the last year alone.”
At the forefront of this shift is Justrite Superstores. The company on Monday signed a landmark $11 million agreement to solarise 11 additional store locations, bringing the total to 21 across south-western Nigeria.
The agreement marks the second phase of a sustainability collaboration between Justrite and Empower New Energy, first launched in 2024. The initiative represents one of the largest commercial solar projects in West Africa.
The latest phase will see $4.5 million invested in the new installations, while the remaining funds reflect the total investment in both phases.
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Phase I of the project included the deployment of solar and battery systems at 10 Justrite locations. These systems were developed by Empower’s technical partner, Powercell Limited, and use battery technology supplied by Huawei Digital Power.
Ayo Aderinwale, founder and chairman of Justrite Superstores, noted that the results from Phase I influenced the company’s decision to proceed with the second phase.
He described the partnership as a shift in how the company manages its power supply, citing improved reliability and reductions in energy costs and emissions.
“Our Phase I journey with Empower and Powercell has been transformative,” said Aderinwale. “We now have a proven model for cutting energy costs, reducing emissions, and improving reliability. That success gave us the confidence to move ahead with Phase II”.
Terje Osmundsen, Empower New Energy’s CEO, said the partnership reflects the potential of clean energy solutions in the commercial sector.
He highlighted the role of strong partnerships in delivering energy infrastructure across emerging markets. Osmundsen also emphasised that commercial uptake of renewable solutions supports long-term climate goals.
Phase II of the rollout will add 2,800 kilowatts peak (kWp) of solar photovoltaic systems and 5,600 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of battery storage to the Justrite network. These systems are expected to generate over 8,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity each year. The resulting emissions savings are estimated at 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
In addition to environmental benefits, the project is expected to generate about 130 new jobs. These include direct positions in system installation and maintenance, as well as indirect employment through services and local supply chains.
The new installations are located in Lagos and Ogun states, two key hubs for Nigeria’s commercial activity. The systems aim to reduce the impact of grid instability and diesel dependence, both of which have posed challenges for businesses across the country.
Another early adopter is UAC Foods. Ikeja dairy plant hosts an 800 kWp rooftop solar installation equipped with 1,496 solar panels, designed and financed by Daystar Power under a Solar‑as‑a‑Service model.
The setup, integrated into the factory’s existing power infrastructure, delivers approximately 50 percent of daytime electricity needs, significantly reducing generator usage and grid dependence. This is expected to cut energy costs by over 30 percent and offset around 2,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions over ten years.
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“We’re delighted that UAC Foods, just like an increasing number of Nigerian large corporations and manufacturers, is choosing renewable energy to power its business. We were able to commission this project in record time with the help and support from the PDP of the German Energy Solutions Initiative,” said Jasper Graf von Hardenberg, Daystar Power CEO and co-founder.
Apart from Justrites and UAC, local supermarkets are embracing off-grid solar solutions. SCU Power, a Chinese solar specialist, recently deployed a 300 kW PV + 645 kWh battery container at Geniva, a Lagos-area supermarket.
The system operates entirely off-grid, eschewing reliance on generators or the national grid. With 95 percent solar self-consumption, the store slashed fuel and maintenance costs by over 60 percent and now enjoys noise‑ and emission-free service 24/7, according to Juwon Adesanya, area manager at Geniva Supermarket.
According to the company’s note to BusinessDay, “Rising electricity costs and unreliable grid power have greatly impacted our business. This transition marks a new chapter for us.”
Brewers, bottlers join bandwagon
Nigeria’s commercial solar surge extends beyond supermarkets. Nigerian Breweries’ Lagos brewery partnered with Daystar in late 2023 to install a massive 4.2 MWp solar array and 2 MWh battery array, meeting 42 percent of daytime demand and forestalling 31 million liters of diesel use over two decades.
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Similarly, the Nigerian Bottling Company (Coca-Cola) boasts over 3 MW of installed solar across several plants, including Abuja and Maitch.
These companies fund their systems via solar-as-a-service models, avoiding upfront costs while relying on a monthly tariff
