Independent solar power producer Scatec Solar has signed an agreement with CDIL, a Canadian renewable energy development company focused on Africa, and BPS, a Nigerian strategic consulting firm, to secure the 100 MW (DC) Nova Scotia Power plant located in Jigawa State, Nigeria.

Scatec Solar is an established independent solar power producer in Africa with nearly half of this capacity located in the region.

The company produces electricity from 404 MW of solar power plants in the Czech Republic, South Africa, Rwanda, Honduras, Jordan and the US.

The 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), signed with Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), was announced as part of Scatec Solar's second quarter results.

"Solar power in Nigeria has significant long-term potential, and we want to take part in the development of this new market. This investment is the culmination of an extensive review during which the Nova Scotia Power project stood out thanks to its exceptional fundamentals. With the quality of its site, development standards and equity funded by Scatec Solar and its partners, the project is ideally positioned to progress rapidly to financial close" said Raymond Carlsen, CEO of Scatec Solar.

"We recognised the importance of partnering with a sponsor able to bring the project to financial close and with whom we share a long-term vision. We are proud of teaming up with Scatec Solar, who has demonstrated its unique ability to deliver similar projects in Africa", said Arif Mohiuddin, President and CEO of CPCS, the parent company of CDIL.

A long-term player with an installation track-record of close to 600 MW, Scatec Solar will develop, build, own and operate the solar power plant in Jigawa.

The project is expected to reach financial close in 2017 and commercial operations 12 months thereafter.