Projects executed by Nigeria’s GVE Projects Limited have been adjudged the best renewable energy project of the year in the West African energy sector, organisers of the annual West African Power Industry Awards have disclosed.

Through their flagship “GVE-P(TM)”, the firm founded by Ifeanyi Orajaka have reportedly deployed reliable, sustainable but affordable mini-grid model energy solutions to rural off-grid dwellers.

A statement from organisers – the West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC) said GVE picked the award in Lagos, beating six others to it.

It said since inception in 2012, GVE has impacted about 30,000 households through its energy service delivery model.

Other finalists in this category include Africa GreenTec of Mali, Beijing Xiaocheng Company of Ghana, and Nigeria’s Photaz Energy, Solar Nigeria, Sosai Renewable Energies Company, and Strategic Power Solutions also of Ghana.

The third edition of WAPIC’s West African Power Industry Awards took place at this year’s conference during a gala dinner where industry pioneers and projects were recognised and celebrated in eight different categories.

Also honoured at the awards was the UK-funded Solar Nigeria Programme which picked the CSR initiative of the year for its improving access to electricity in Nigeria through its models.

The statement announcing the award noted that businesses supported by Solar Nigeria provided more than 92,000 Nigerian homes with solar lighting or power systems between January and June 2016, and that more than 45,000 of these homes are located in Northern Nigeria.

Other finalists in this category were Africa GreenTec of Mali, and Nigeria’s Ajima Farms and General Enterprises Nigeria Limited of Nigeria, Green Energy and Biofuels, Lagos Energy Academy, Lagos Solar Project, and Light Up Lagos Initiative, Nigeria.