To improve the storage of perishable goods and pharmaceutical products, the Netherlands government, in partnership with Lagos State, has developed and launched the Polar Store, an innovative solar-powered cold storage infrastructure in the state.

The aim of the initiative is to provide market-led solutions to postharvest losses while improving Lagos?s infrastructure for food manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies.

The Polar Store will serve as both a demonstration site and a training hub, showcasing the potential of renewable energy in cold storage applications.

Speaking at the launch of the Polar Project in Lagos recently, Peter Keulers, deputy consul general of the Netherlands Consulate in Lagos, said that post-harvest losses have remained a major challenge confronting the Nigerian agricultural sector for so long.

?The Polar Store system can transform the way perishable foods and pharmaceuticals are stored in Nigeria and in doing so it will reduce wastes, improve food security, and increase productivity and revenue,? he said.

He also said the initiative will help the country cater to the huge need for more renewable energy, particularly solar.

He noted that about 80 million people in Nigeria still do not have access to electricity despite the country?s abundant sunlight, adding that solar adoption is crucial for the country?s development.

?The regular power supply is not always reliable and the diesel prices have tripled over the years,? Kaulers said, noting that the federal government?s efforts in promoting solar adoption not only make economic sense but help in limiting global warming and creating jobs for the future.

In his goodwill message, Biodun Ogunleye, the commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State said the introduction of the Polar Store initiative is a cutting-edge solution that aligns seamlessly with Lagos State?s commitment to clean energy adoption and sustainable development.

According to him, the Polar Store presents a practical response to some of the state?s most pressing challenges?food security, pharmaceutical storage, and energy reliability.

?By leveraging solar power, it mitigates post-harvest losses, enhances supply chain efficiency, and ensures that critical pharmaceutical products remain viable in an environment where stable electricity supply remains a work in progress,? Ogunleye who was represented by Abiola Kosegbe, permanent s secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

?Lagos, as Nigeria?s economic hub, continues to drive bold reforms and investments in the energy sector,? he said.

He added that with the enactment of the Lagos Electricity Market Law, the state has set the foundation for an enabling environment where clean, affordable, and reliable energy solutions?such as the Polar Store can thrive.

According to him, Public-private partnerships, particularly with forward-thinking partners like the Dutch government and the Impact Cluster, are crucial to achieving the state?s goals of a sustainable and energy-secure Lagos.

?As we commission the Polar Store, we recognise its potential to catalyze further innovations in Nigeria?s cold chain industry.?

?This project is a testament to what is possible when governments, businesses, and technology providers come together to create impact-driven solutions.?

Speaking also at the launch, Kamaldeen Balogun, general manager of the Lagos State Electricity Board, the initiative, generously funded by the Dutch government and meticulously executed through the concerted efforts of Dutch engineering firms, serves as a compelling testament to the transformative power of international cooperation in addressing pressing global challenges.

Balogun said the Polar Store transcends the realm of mere technological advancement, noting that it represents a critical solution that will revolutionise food preservation practices, mitigate post-harvest losses, and significantly enhance energy efficiency in the Nigerian landscape.

The project is part of a Dutch government-funded Impact Cluster, developed in collaboration with leading Dutch and Nigerian companies. (BusinessDay)

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