Lumos (“Lumos”), Nigeria’s market leader in home solar systems making reliable, clean power accessible to all, announces a major environmental commitment - via a new partnership with Hinckley Recycling (“Hinckley”) - to recycle Lumos’ batteries.
As an already impactful company via its solar energy business model, Lumos is the first company in its sector to make such a further, significant commitment to recycle and repurpose batteries - which is vital for a sustainable battery supply chain – and delivers on several United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
- SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
- SDG 8: Inclusive and sustainable economic growth
- SDG 9: Inclusive and sustainable industrialization
- SDG 12: Sustainable production patterns
Batteries are vital for delivering clean, reliable energy access. They enable:
- Off-grid users to optimize consumption of solar/wind energy; and
- Increased reliability of power for users of weak grids
Lumos was the first major company to introduce lithium-ion batteries as a standard in its solar home systems, providing users with a better energy storage solution. Today, Africa’s battery demand is forecast to increase sevenfold, from 2G W in 2015 to 15 GW by 2030. Full energy access would require double the 2030 figure. Lumos believes sustainability has to be proactively addressed and is proud to take the lead in its sector.
However, current battery end-of-life management across Africa is not environmentally sustainable, with limited lithium-ion recycling or repurposing. Hinckley’s Nigerian facility is one of just two examples, across the entire continent, of local re-purposing.
The partnership will initially see Lumos’ waste batteries recycled at Hinckley’s facility in Ojota. Hinckley works with international blue-chip companies such as HP, ExxonMobil, KPMG and Nestle, and its Ojota facility has an annual capacity for 20,000 tonnes of e-waste.
Lumos has been instrumental in assisting Hinckley’s expansion. In 2019, Lumos partnered with Taisen Company and Carnegie Mellon University Africa to support Hinckley’s participation in the inaugural Global LEAP Solar E-Waste Challenge which funds innovative approaches to e-waste management in the off-grid solar sector in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigeria is at the forefront of implementing solar energy on the African continent and the government’s commitment to invest in 5 million solar home systems is an important development. As the Nigerian market leader, and whose core product is built on a positive impact socially and environmentally - Lumos also wants to lead by example.
Alistair Gordon, Lumos Group CEO, said:
“Energy is a core pillar of economic growth and will be a strong catalyst to sustainable economic recovery, post-COVID-19. Africa’s battery demand is growing hugely, as they are vital for the continent to achieve clean, reliable energy access. This requires a sustainable battery supply chain. It is extremely important, and we are proud to be the first company in our sector to take this major sustainability step.
“We have been an enthusiastic supporter of Hinckley’s development, culminating in today’s partnership. We hope it encourages the adoption of similar sustainable practices across Africa.”
Adrian Clews, Managing Director, of Hinckley Recycling, said:
“We are delighted by Lumos’ sector-leading commitment to sustainability, and we are honoured to partner with them. Lumos has been incredibly supportive of Hinckley and this partnership cements the relationship even further.”
Source: https://www.lumos-global.com/