Lumos, market-leading solar energy company commits to recycling batteries

…Addressing sustainable battery supply chains, fulfilling UN SDGs

…Africa’s battery demand to increase 7-fold to 15GW by 2030, from 2GW in 2015

…But full energy access would require double the 2030 figure

Ben Eguzozie

Lumos, Nigeria’s market leader in home solar systems making reliable, clean power accessible to all, has announced a major environmental commitment – via a new partnership with Hinckley Recycling – to recycle Lumos’ batteries, the company announced in Lagos.

As an already impactful company via its solar energy business model, Lumos is the first company in its sector to make such a 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 (SDGs) 7, 8, 9, and 12.

The SDG 7 is affordable and clean energy; SDG 8 is inclusive and sustainable economic growth; while SDG 9 relates to inclusive and sustainable industrialization. SDG 12 is sustainable production patterns.

Alistair Gordon, Lumos Group chief executive officer, 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.”

Gordon said Lumos has 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.

The company said, batteries are vital for delivering clean, reliable energy access, as 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.

Lumos was founded in 2013, and is the market-leading home solar systems provider in Nigeria. It has a nationwide presence in Nigeria, with more than 150 large points of sale, over 60 warehouses, more than 400 reseller stores, a fully localised workforce and more than 115,000 active customers. It has market presence in Côte d’Ivoire with market entry plans for a third country this 2021. It creates jobs and replacing hazardous, polluting, and expensive generators. Its product range expands to meet customer needs and increase social impact.

Hinckley is the first registered E-waste recycler in Nigeria and works closely with the Nigerian ministry of environment, NESREA and LASEPA. The company has a nationwide presence in Nigeria with offices in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. Hinckley offers socially responsible solutions for E-waste, giving clients peace of mind by ensuring their business is contributing to reducing the carbon footprint, and recycling E-Waste responsibly.

Today, Africa’s battery demand is forecast to increase sevenfold, from 2GW in 2015 to 15GW by 2030. But full energy access would require double the 2030 figure.

Lumos said it 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.

According to Lumos, the partnership with Hinckley will initially see Lumos’ waste batteries recycled at Hinckley’s facility in Ojota, Lagos.  Hinckley works with international blue-chip companies such as HP, ExxonMobil, KPMG and Nestle.

Its Ojota facility has an annual capacity for 20,000 tonnes of e-waste.

Lumos said it had been instrumental in assisting Hinckley’s expansion. In 2019, the company (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.

For Adrian Clews, managing director of Hinckley Recycling: “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.”

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 said, it also wants to lead by example.