…As FG targets 150mw additional generation by year end
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has assured that ongoing partnership with Siemens under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) will boost the stability of the Power grid upon completion of the project.
The Minister gave the assurance while speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking, Adelabu acknowledged the aging and fragile state of Nigeria’s power grid however noting that the Siemens project will ensure long-term stability.
“When Phase One is complete, Nigeria’s power grid will not remain the same. This project will redefine grid stability and efficiency across the country,” he said.
The next phase, he noted, involves rehabilitating 14 existing substations and establishing 23 new substations across the country.
“We are transitioning to Phase One of the project, with the first batch of this phase already concluded in terms of commercial agreements,” he said.
Approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement is expected soon, after which the Federal Executive Council (FEC) will finalize the financing arrangements.
On the progress made on the project, Adelabu said, “We have completed about 80% of the pilot stage, which includes the importation, installation, and commissioning of 10 power transformers and 10 power mobile substations.”
“These efforts have already added 750 megawatts to our grid capacity, and by year-end, an additional 150 megawatts will be realized upon full completion of the pilot phase,” he revealed.
The Minister further highlighted the country’s potential in solar, wind, and hydropower noting that over 30 Nigerian states have at least 10 hours of daily sunshine and abundant wind potential in both northern desert areas and southern coastal regions.
Adelabu also noted the underutilisation of Nigeria’s 300 dams for hydropower, which could be unlocked through new infrastructure developments, including the Badagry-Sokoto road.
The Minister emphasised the importance of off-grid power systems to ensure energy access for rural and underserved communities.