The European Union (EU) is exploring the possibility of establishing a hydropower generation site at Asso Falls in Plateau State, the Head of Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, has revealed.
According to Stefanowicz, the hydropower project, expected to generate 2MW of electricity, is part of the EU’s mandate and partnership with the state to provide clean, safe, affordable, and renewable energy sources. The initiative aims to support sustainable agricultural practices, industry, tourism, and economic growth in the state.
Stefanowicz, who disclosed this during the delegation’s visit to assess Asso Falls, emphasized the importance of collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Power to integrate the project into Nigeria’s broader electricity market development.
“With electricity generation, we will have agriculture, industry, and tourism. That’s a very good combination,” Stefanowicz said.
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She further stated that the EU is working with the Plateau State government and other stakeholders to evaluate the technical, financial, and environmental feasibility of the hydropower project.
“Plateau State, with its rich agricultural potential, could benefit greatly from reliable energy, boosting crop production and agro-processing,” she added.
The Managing Director of the Plateau State Energy Corporation, Ponzing Gamde, stated that the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is conducting a feasibility study to determine the project’s potential capacity.
He said, “UNIDO is currently conducting a feasibility study here. They have completed preliminary data collection and will now develop a design to determine the potential capacity that can be generated.”
Highlighting the benefits of the project, Gamde added, “With this power, there will be an improvement in cultural activities. The power will ensure activities do not stop at certain points.”
A member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Owen Karyit Dagogot, expressed support for the project. He stated, “This place is going to be utilized to its full potential. It is an advantage because you already have a solid foundation.”
The Director of Technical Services at the Plateau State Energy Corporation, Sam Gyang Yakubu, spoke about the technical aspects of the project. He noted that while dam construction typically takes time, this project could be completed within two to three years.
“Evacuation is not going to be a challenge here, based on the way we have set up the whole layout,” he said.
A representative of the Federal Ministry of Power, Dina Temitope, highlighted the national significance of the project.
“For us at the ministry, we have this Vision 30:30, which aims to generate 30 gigawatts of electricity by 2030, with 30 percent of our energy needs coming from renewable sources,” he said.
Programme Manager for Energy and Circular Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Godfrey Ogbemudia, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to sustainability.
“We want to ensure that EU taxpayers’ money is fully utilized. This is not a donation. The power generated here can be transported to any other agricultural hub where pre-processing is happening,” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration, the Head of GIZ’s Sustainable Energy Access component, Eckhard Heine, stated, “We are in dialogue with the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to disseminate the information they have so we can engage effectively at the state level.”
Technical Adviser at GIZ, Alexander Akolo, noted that the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, recently passed the State Electricity Law, which includes areas for improvement.
“We can support reviewing the law to enhance the development of other instruments, such as a mini-grid policy for the state,” he said.
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