FG secures $6.2 bn for critical power projects

The Federal Government on Tuesday, says it has secured a sum of $6.150 billion for development of critical power projects in Nigeria.

Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman made the disclosure while highlighting his achievements in the last one year.

While giving a breakdown, he said $2.3billion is earmarked for the Siemens project,$1.6billion for the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme(TREP),$1.7billion for DISREP and $550 million World Bank’s and AFDB National Expansion Programme.

He said the projects are aimed at achieving generation, transmission and distribution of 25,000MWs of power by 2025.

Also, he said the sum will see to the provision of off-grid hybrid solar to various tertiary institutions, noting that so far, five institutions have been completed.

On the Mambila hydro power project, he said if completed, it will increase generation by 30 percent.

According to him, the project was re-scoped to increase its viability, while also adding that the FG has commenced land and ariel’s survey.

“We are working to achieve financial close and signed an MOU with the Taraba State government,” he added.

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While noting the importance of having access to clean,safe,reliable and affordable electricity, the Minister noted that creating synergy between all Government Agencies under the Ministry was a major challenge.

Mamman further said plans were underway to deliver a minimum of 300MW to every state in Nigeria through a partnership with Data Analytics and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“We have averaged high Energy generation and transmission peaks, achieved new records and we are diligently working to do significantly better with new projects such as the PPI-Siemens deal and others already active,” he said.

Also, he said within his first year, Nigeria now participates actively in strengthening the ECOWAS regional electricity market.

“Under my leadership, the Ministry and TCN have been partnering with the West African Power Pool (WAPP), a specialized agency of ECOWAS and the World Bank, AfDB and other development partners on a number of regional integration projects. Key among which is the North-Core (Nigeria-Niger-Benin/Togo-Burkina Faso) Regional Inter-connector Project, which is aimed at actualizing an efficient, unified regional electricity market, as part of the ECOWAS Master Plan for the Development of Regional Power Generation and Transmission Infrastructure.

“This Master Plan will ensure that citizens of ECOWAS Member States, are provided with a stable and reliable power supply at competitive costs,” he said.

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