The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has opened talks with LEMI of China to start local production of various types of lithium batteries and other products in the photovoltaic value chain.
The delegation from the company led by its founder, Joyce Chen met with NASENI officials Monday on collaboration, and both parties have committed to a working arrangement sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
If this deal falls through, then Nigeria would have hit a gold mine. Apart from the huge job opportunities, local production of the battery will save huge import costs. Lithium-ion batteries power the lives of millions of people each day. From laptops and cell phones to hybrids and electric cars, this technology is growing in popularity due to its light weight, high energy density, and ability to recharge.
Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Bashir Gwandu said the agency and LEMI Technology will work out areas of possible collaboration in the production of the lithium battery and ensure that all the safety and regulatory environments are followed.
He emphasised NASENI’s priority area to be the production of lithium batteries and inverters, adding an MoU with LEMI Technology will ensure the safest means of producing lithium-based batteries, taking into cognizance Nigeria’s environmental peculiarities.
Chen, the founder of LEMI Technology, said the company is ready to invest in the country, promising that they look forward to a rewarding relationship with NASENI and the Nigerian government.
LEMI delegation at the meeting included its Chief Investment Officer, Rocky Hu; Chief Financial Officer, Biju Yao; Overseas Business Director, Monica Liang, and Engineer, Lucia Peng.
LEMI’s Chief Executive Officer, Xie Feng said the MoU with NASENI will focus on renewable energy with particular reference to products like solar and television panels, inverters, and battery production.
Xie Feng said his firm will leverage Nigeria and China’s brotherhood that spans many years, adding that the former with its teeming population is critical for investment opportunities.
LEMI Technology has been operating in the Nigerian market since 2018 and had provided job opportunities to Nigerians, having sold renewable energy products to over 200,000 Nigerian households.
Lithium batteries stand apart from other battery chemistries due to their high energy density and low cost per cycle. There are about six common chemistries of lithium batteries, all with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. For renewable energy applications, the predominant chemistry is Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4). This chemistry has excellent safety, with great thermal stability, high current ratings, long cycle life, and tolerance to abuse.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) is an extremely stable lithium chemistry when compared to almost all other lithium chemistries. The battery is assembled with a naturally safe cathode material (iron phosphate). Compared to other lithium chemistries iron phosphate promotes a strong molecular bond, which withstands extreme charging conditions, prolongs cycle life, and maintains chemical integrity over many cycles. This is what gives these batteries their great thermal stability, long cycle life, and tolerance to abuse. LiFePO4 batteries are not prone to overheating, nor are they disposed to ‘thermal runaway’ and therefore do not over-heat or ignite when subjected to rigorous mishandling or harsh environmental conditions.
Apart from the Chinese firm, NASENI had earlier invited suppliers to CATL as it looks to partner with international companies that are willing to set up their industries in Nigeria and start local production of renewable energy solutions, electric vehicles parts, and other capital goods that could create jobs and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign goods that exert pressure on foreign exchange for the country.
“NASENI is already doing a lot in the area of Solar Panel Production and ready to attract solar cell manufacturing to improve synergy with its existing work on solar panel assembly” stated Gwandu who disclosed the agency has held meetings with other companies from around the world for partnership on local production of lithium-based end-products in Nigeria as against the normal practice of foreign companies exporting the raw materials outside the country for processing.
NASENI’s vision is the domestication of technologies, capital goods production, and commercialization in Nigeria, as well as help bridge the technological gaps between Nigeria and other countries, help stop the importation of these technologies and encourage local production.
NASENI also looks to work with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to encourage the development and production of electric vehicles and even conversion of existing vehicles to electric vehicles as against producing from scratch.
Consequently, the agency is also in discussion with various stakeholders about the promotion of the installation of electric vehicle charging stations on major roads across the country.
“So, we are inviting friends of Nigeria to come here and establish themselves here. We are encouraging those who can come and produce locally. We will give them support and ensure that the investment environment is encouraging,” Gwandu said.
He emphasized that Nigeria cannot continue to export raw lithium if other countries such as Zimbabwe have gone to the extent of lithium processing, adding that Nigeria should be at the forefront of battery production since it has all the relevant raw materials including Phosphate.
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