自然電力グループ

Shizen Energy Inc. (Headquarters: Fukuoka-Shi, Fukuoka/Representative Directors: Ken Isono, Kenji Kawado, Masaya Hasegawa, hereinafter Shizen Energy) and Community Energy Social Enterprise Ltd. (Headquarters: Nigeria/CEO: Dr. Patrick Tolani, hereinafter CESEL), one of the leading companies in the renewable energy sector in Nigeria, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the Nigerian renewable energy market.

With the MoU, Shizen Energy and CESEL will work together in Nigeria to utilize integrated renewable energy sources, jointly developing projects on a 50/50 ownership basis. Both companies are committed to deploy 25 mini-grids, leaving the possibility to strengthen their capacity to bid for larger projects in the future as needed.

The relationship between the two companies in the MoU is posed to be mutually beneficial, giving Shizen Energy access to the African market through CESEL’s networks in Nigeria and in other African countries, while CESEL will benefit from access to finance, technology and capacity building opportunities in Japan through Shizen Energy. Both companies also welcome the foundation of mutual collaboration as it opens up a significant opportunity for them to impact more people in Nigeria and in Africa through sustainable electricity supply.

Shizen Energy group has contributed to the development of approximately 1 gigawatt worth of renewable energy in Japan and aims to expand its global businesses to “take action for the blue planet”. Sub-Saharan Africa, with only 44% of its population having access to electricity[1], is a core market within Shizen Energy’s global expansion strategy. Shizen Energy aims to not only change people’s lives through the access to energy, but to provide reliable clean energy to contribute to the development of a 100% renewable energy powered planet.

In order to accomplish market goals in Africa, Shizen Energy decided to reach out to CESEL, whose vision of “sustainable energy for all,” aligned with Shizen Energy’s missions and aspirations. Since their establishment, CESEL has contributed to local communities across the country by providing access to infrastructure, efficient systems and timely support, so that communities can benefit from access to energy at cheap prices–leading to employment generation and shared prosperity.

The MoU was signed on September 13, following the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD7) held in Yokohama City, August 28-30, 2019.
Discussions surrounding the MoU were led by Shizen Energy, as they aimed to leverage Japan’s initiative to further boost Africa’s development through quality infrastructure, human resources development, science, technology, and innovation. The engagement between Shizen Energy and CESEL came through a mutual network established through Shizen Energy’s cooperation with the Africans Business Education (ABE) Initiative, where Shizen Energy received around 10 interns from 10 African countries in 2019.

Shizen Energy will continue to utilize the ABE initiative as a foundation for its expansion in the African continent, in addition to fostering human resources through international exchange.

【About CESEL】

CESEL is one of the leaders in the renewable energy sector in Nigeria working with many of the international organizations such as: World Bank, African Development Bank, International Finance Corporation, DFID, USAID Power Africa, United State Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to develop portfolio of projects ready for immediate investment.

• Headquarters: Nigeria
• CEO: Dr. Patrick Tolani
• URL: http://www.cesel.com.ng/

【About Shizen Energy Inc.】

Founded in June 2011 with the mission of “We take action for the blue planet.”, Shizen Energy group has contributed to the development of approximately 1 gigawatt (as of the end of April 2019) worth of renewable energy across Japan. It is engaged in all services required for the installation and operation of solar, wind, small hydroelectric, and other renewable energy power plants, such as development, EPC (engineering, procurement, construction), O&M (operation and maintenance), electricity retail market, and asset management. The company intends to construct photovoltaic power plants in countries around the world, beginning with the regions of Asia and South America. More specifically, in 2018, it launched the construction of such plants in Indonesia and Brazil.

• Headquarters: Fukuoka Ohori Bldg. 3F/6F, 1-1-6 Arato, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
• Representative Directors: Ken Isono, Kenji Kawado, Masaya Hasegawa
• Tel: 092-753-9834
• URL: http://www.shizenenergy.net/en/  
• Business: Electricity generation (IPP) with solar, wind power, small hydroelectric and other renewable energy power plants, business development, funding procurement, asset management, electricity retail for individuals and businesses

[1] JICA co-hosted a seminar with METI and USAID promoting energy development in sub-Saharan Africa [Web log post]. (April 24, 2019). Retrieved September 24, 2019, from https://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/field/2019/190424_01.html