NJ Ayuk
Energy lawyer and entrepreneur NJ Ayuk is a leader in the renewable energy sector. He encompasses business interests across Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Kenya. NJ Ayuk focuses on developing small-scale solar power farms that can be fed into the grid to provide affordable electricity for millions worldwide. In this interview with The Boss, Magazine, Ayuk discusses his work in the energy sector and specific projects and ideas he has for the future.
Ayuk (left) is flanked by Paul Njoroge of Gkion Investments, Jane Odumi (right) of SmartPower, and Bomas of Kenya. Ayuk is pictured here with several supporters who have worked to support his various projects within Eastern Kenya. Ayuk’s London-based company, African Solar Limited, has over 40 projects in Africa: this span small-scale solar power generation, renewable energy, and intelligent utility networks.
NJ Ayuk launched the African Solar Fund to support renewable energy projects across Africa in 2016. The fund has supported projects in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. Ayuk is also the chairman of SmartPower Ltd., which focuses on connecting rural communities to more affordable electricity through mini-grids and off-grid technologies. The organization works to provide customers with clean energy and connections to the power grid. Ayuk is passionate about Africa’s solar market and future potential, especially as the continent suffers from poverty. He responds in no uncertain terms: “Africa’s goal for electricity demand will be 50 billion kilowatts by 2020. If you look at the amount of solar installed now, it is much less than half of that. So there is still a lot of power left available to be generated.”
Ayuk’s mission is to see all African countries generate at least 10% of their electricity needs from solar power. He envisions a continent-wide network in which clean energy will be too cheap to ignore. He believes solar will be seen as the ‘new oil’ when reducing costs, jobs, and conflicts over energy resources. Ayuk also wants African countries to promote renewables within their markets rather than exporting them for face value. It will enable the continent to grow its solar industry and develop economically.
Ayuk also supports the Renewable Energy Africa initiative to advance and promote renewable energy across Africa. The initiative runs events in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Sierra Leone. The projects are designed to highlight the benefits of renewable energy across Africa. As with most initiatives, Ayuk stresses that on-the-ground action is critical. He believes promoting renewable energy in the marketplace is hard but must be done.
He observes that he has found African governments to be at the forefront of renewable energy policy, making decisions based on domestic benefits. However, he believes that if Africa wants to grow its solar market and realize its potential for clean power generation, it must create and promote business opportunities for all African nations. As Ayuk puts it: “Solar energy is still relatively new to Africa. So you have some countries already doing it, but not all. So we must create an environment for all African countries to use solar energy.”
In a world where renewable energy is becoming increasingly common, Ayuk believes Africa will drive this market. He points out that the continent’s solar market is still in its infancy compared to the rest of the world. He contends that established and budding African solar companies have an excellent opportunity to create a renewable energy revolution on the continent.
Energy lawyer and entrepreneur NJ Ayuk is a leader in the renewable energy sector. He encompasses business interests across Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Kenya. NJ Ayuk focuses on developing small-scale solar power farms that can be fed into the grid to provide affordable electricity for millions worldwide. In this interview with The Boss, Magazine, Ayuk…