Airtel Denies Giving WATT Corporation Nationwide Solar Contract

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Reports that Airtel Nigeria has awarded a contract to WATT Renewable Corporation (WATT) for the installation of 32MW solar PV and storage across its 600 cell sites in the country have been described as “inaccurate.”

There were media reports recently that WATT Corporation has been given the green light to deliver the project as part of Airtel’s sustainability goals and efforts to meet its Net Zero objectives across its operations.

But Airtel Nigeria, in a statement signed by its Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Mr Femi Adeniran, said WATT Corporation was only awarded a deal to work on 30 sites and not all the 600 sites across Nigeria.

According to Mr Adeniran, the firm was asked to deliver “only 30 sites as a proof of concept” of its Energy-as-a-Service offering, emphasising that only “18 are currently up and running.”

“The report in the press about Airtel Nigeria awarding this nationwide contract to WATT Renewable Corporation is inaccurate,” he stressed.

“Airtel Nigeria is indeed committed to its sustainability goals and continues to pursue its Net Zero objectives across its operations. As we progress in our path towards achieving these, we will keep the public updated,” Mr Adeniran added.