The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has commenced a transition to solar energy at its facilities in Jos, Plateau State, as part of efforts to reduce dependence on the national electricity grid and diesel-powered generators.

The fund announced that it had completed and commissioned solar installations at its Area Office and Staff School, while construction work was ongoing at its Model Skills Training Centre and the Director-General’s residence.

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It also plans to install a larger solar power system at its Jos headquarters, with the long-term goal of making its facilities in the state independent of conventional electricity sources.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the ITF in Abuja on Friday.

Speaking at the commissioning of the completed projects, the Director-General said unreliable electricity supply had continued to affect productivity and the delivery of skills training.

He maintained that the fund could not adequately prepare Nigerians for the demands of modern industries while depending on an unstable power supply.

According to the ITF, its Area Office now has a solar photovoltaic installation with a stated capacity of 100kWh, supported by 100kWh of battery storage and a 50kW inverter.

A similar 100kWh solar installation, alongside 100kWh of battery storage, has also been provided at the ITF Staff School to support teaching and other academic activities.

At the Model Skills Training Centre and Academy, work is ongoing on a proposed 350kW solar system with 500kWh of battery storage.

The centre, which accommodates training workshops, machinery and information and communications technology laboratories, has a maximum electricity load requirement of approximately 70kW.

The Director-General’s residence is also receiving a 100kW solar photovoltaic system supported by 128kWh of battery storage.

The largest project is planned for the ITF headquarters in Jos, where the fund intends to install a 500kW solar system and a 1.5MWh battery storage facility.

The headquarters currently has a peak electricity demand of about 139kW, according to the statement.

The initiative comes amid persistent electricity supply challenges in Nigeria, which have forced businesses, schools and public institutions to depend on alternative power sources to sustain their operations.

The increasing cost of diesel and petrol, alongside unreliable grid supply, has placed additional pressure on organisations seeking dependable electricity.

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The ITF said the solar projects were designed to ensure that its facilities in Jos could operate without relying on the national grid or diesel generators.