MAN Moves to Cut Manufacturers’ Energy Costs with Solar, Battery Solutions

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has unveiled plans to promote solar power, battery energy storage and other alternative energy solutions to reduce production costs and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian manufacturers.

The initiative will be a major focus of the forthcoming two-day Manufacturers Energy Security and Energy Efficiency Summit, scheduled for November 3 to 4, 2026, at the Legend Hotel Lagos Airport, Curio Collection by Hilton, Ikeja Free Zone, Lagos.

Speaking at a press conference at MAN House, Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, October 26, 2026, the President of MAN, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, said the summit would provide a platform for stakeholders to develop practical solutions to the persistent energy challenges confronting the manufacturing sector.

Okoye explained that the association had identified opportunities for manufacturers to take advantage of emerging energy technologies, particularly solar power and battery storage systems, to reduce their dependence on expensive conventional energy sources.

He noted that the rising cost of electricity and reliance on diesel and other fossil fuels had continued to place a significant financial burden on manufacturers, making alternative energy solutions increasingly necessary.

According to him, MAN is exploring hybrid energy systems that combine solar installations with battery storage to ensure a more reliable power supply for factories and industrial facilities.

He said the approach would enable manufacturers to generate electricity during the day, store excess energy in batteries and maintain production with reduced dependence on diesel-powered generators.

The MAN president also highlighted the need to extend affordable energy solutions to small-scale manufacturers and businesses operating in industrial clusters, many of which struggle with unreliable electricity supply and high operating costs.

He explained that the summit would bring together relevant government agencies, regulators, industry stakeholders, technology providers and financial institutions to examine how manufacturers could access cleaner and more affordable energy options.

“We are looking at how we can meet stakeholders and discuss how these solutions can help manufacturers reduce their energy costs,” he said, emphasising the importance of collaboration in addressing the sector’s energy challenges.

The summit, themed “Innovative Energy for Cost-Effective Smart Manufacturing with Structured Financing,” is expected to explore financing mechanisms that would enable manufacturers to adopt renewable energy technologies without facing prohibitive upfront costs.

MAN is organising the initiative through its energy-focused subsidiary, the Manufacturers Power Development Company Ltd (MPDCL), in partnership with the German Development Agency (GIZ) and the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP).

A major highlight will be the launch of the Industrial Energy Cost Reduction and Adoption Programme, designed to encourage factory rooftop solar installations, battery energy storage systems, captive natural gas-to-power solutions and other cleaner energy alternatives.

Other areas of discussion will include artificial intelligence in smart manufacturing, energy efficiency networks, climate finance, carbon credits and emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s electricity market.

Okoye said improved access to affordable and reliable energy remained critical to boosting industrial output, reducing production expenses and strengthening the capacity of local manufacturers to compete in the domestic and international markets.