Nigeria's Power Grid Stability Boosted by Additional 700MW, Says Minister

The Nigerian government has announced a significant enhancement in the stability of the country’s power grid, thanks to the addition of 700 megawatts of transmission capacity. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this statement during a recent meeting with the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, in Abuja.

In a statement released by his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, the minister explained that this improvement was achieved through the Presidential Power Initiative, which secured $2.3 billion in funding aimed at revitalizing the power transmission sector. Previously, the grid would become unstable and prone to collapse when supply approached 5,000 megawatts. However, with nearly 90% of the new capacity installed and operational, the grid is now witnessing a marked improvement in performance.

Adelabu stated, “With the installation of nearly 90% of the new capacity, we have increased transmission capability by over 700 megawatts, which has contributed to the relative stability we are experiencing in the grid.” He highlighted that the pilot phase of the project, involving the installation of ten power transformers and an additional ten mobile substations, is nearing completion.

The minister pointed out that the current administration has achieved two key milestones in the power sector: the highest average daily power consumption, exceeding 20,000 kilowatt-hours, and the transmission and distribution of 5,801.63 megawatts of electricity, breaking the previous record set in 2021. He also noted that the country has reached a generation capacity of 6,003 megawatts.

Adelabu urged EU member states to continue providing technical and financial support to Nigeria, emphasizing the power sector's crucial role in the nation's economic development. He reassured the ambassador of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to addressing power sector challenges and the ongoing support received from various European nations, including Germany and France.

The minister reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts with the EU to enhance Nigeria’s power infrastructure, stating, “The power sector is vital for the optimal functioning of the economy. Without reliable electricity, other sectors struggle to thrive.”

Adelabu acknowledged the historical challenges Nigeria has faced in electricity provision, arguing that other countries that adopted electricity after Nigeria have achieved greater stability. He emphasized that the current administration is making strides to improve the situation, particularly through investments in non-grid energy solutions for rural and semi-urban areas.

The minister highlighted ongoing reforms initiated by President Tinubu, including the signing of the Electricity Act of 2023, which aims to transform the power landscape. He also mentioned the Presidential Power Initiative, notably the Siemens Project, which is crucial for revamping transmission capabilities.

In a related development, during the 2nd edition of the Energy Times Newspaper Award, Minister Adelabu was honored as the Power Sector Personality of the Year for his contributions within a short period in office. He stressed that electricity is essential for industrialization, job creation, and socio-economic development, and acknowledged the persistent gaps in the power sector.

Additionally, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria’s Managing Director, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, received the Young Achiever of the Year award for her efforts in enhancing power generation capacity. She emphasized her commitment to scaling up generation, transmission, and distribution across the power sector.

Other award recipients included the Governor of Ekiti, Abayomi Oyebanji, as Energy Governor of the Year, and Mele Kyari, former CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, named Man of the Year.