For Nigerian SMEs, energy isn't just a utility bill; it is often the second largest operating expense after inventory. You cannot control the global oil price, but you can control how your business consumes power.
The Strategy: Audit, Shift, and Hybridize
Conduct an Energy Audit: Walk through your office or factory. Are fans running in empty rooms? are you using old refrigerators that consume double the power? Replace old bulbs with energy-saving LEDs immediately.
Shift Operations to "Grid Hours": If your area gets reasonable light (Band A or B) at specific times, schedule energy-intensive tasks (like production, baking, or heavy printing) for those windows. Use the generator only for "light" work like computers and POS terminals.
The Solar Hybrid Investment: It feels expensive upfront, but calculate the ROI. A solar inverter setup for critical systems (laptops, internet, lights) drastically reduces generator run-time. You don’t need to power the ACs with solar yet—just keeping the lights on without burning fuel saves thousands daily.