ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Agricon West Africa Limited has disconnected from the national grid and transitioned to gas-powered electricity to enhance its rice production.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the company explained that the switch was driven by its goal to cut costs, improve efficiency, and contribute to the nation’s food security objectives.
Founded in 2022, Agricon stated that it entered Nigeria’s rice value chain with the mission of processing locally cultivated rice on a large scale to reduce dependence on imports.
However, like many agro-processors, it struggled with the challenge of unstable electricity supply.
“Running diesel generators was a huge financial burden, responsible for a larger running cost with less output,” said Emmanuel Njin, Plant Manager at Agricon West Africa Limited.
Njin noted that the company initially depended on diesel, which led to high fuel expenses and irregular power supply that hindered production.
In response, the management adopted compressed natural gas a cleaner and more dependable alternative.
The breakthrough came with the installation of a 1.5-megawatt Jenbacher gas-powered plant, supplied and maintained by Clarke Energy, the authorised distributor of Jenbacher engines in Nigeria.
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According to Njin, the gas solution revolutionised Agricon’s operations.
“Compared to diesel, the gas-powered generator cut fuel consumption by half while delivering better and more reliable performance. The emission of filtered and clean exhaust gases is another advantage,” he stated.
He further revealed that the transition has enabled the company to save between 60 and 65 per cent on energy costs, while also boosting productivity and maintaining steady operations.
“Clarke Energy services have been excellent. They’ve been responsive before, during, and after maintenance. The solution has freed us from the instability of the national grid while providing a sustainable and cost-effective energy lifeline,” Njin added.
For Clarke Energy, the initiative goes beyond power generation it signifies a step toward national resilience.
“Food is a fundamental human necessity, essential not only for survival and well-being but also a cornerstone of national security,” said Yiannis Tsantilas, Managing Director of Clarke Energy, Sub-Saharan Africa.
He commended Agricon’s proactive energy approach, describing it as critical to Nigeria’s food and energy future.
“Their investment in a 1.5 MW power plant is a testament to visionary leadership and commitment to sustainable growth. We are proud to partner with Agricon to help scale their operations and ensure their lights are always on,” he stated.
Tsantilas stressed that reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy sources are key to building a sustainable economy.
“For Agricon, the move has already paid off. Energy is no longer a stumbling block but a foundation for growth. The company is now positioned to focus on scaling production, reaching new markets, and competing on the global stage, all powered by a more reliable, eco-friendly energy source.
“Nigeria’s energy crisis remains largely unresolved. National grid outages and reliance on diesel generators continue to limit manufacturing, agriculture, and services. Yet companies like Agricon are proving that alternatives exist. By investing in gas-powered technology, they are not only reducing costs, they are also helping the nation edge closer to sustainable industrialisation,” the statement added.