Uninterrupted electricity supply takes off in Ibadan

The 11MW Ibadan Hybrid Power Plant (IBHP) commissioned on December 6 by Governor Seyi Makinde to boost power generation and supply for sustainable energy in the state has taken off.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Tuesday, saying the whole of the Oyo State Secretariat and its environs, covering all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including the Secretariat Clinic, the State House of Assembly and the Governor’s office, have started to experience uninterrupted power supply.

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This, according to the Commissioner, is a fulfilment of Makinde’s promise to commence the process of power independence for the state.

Oyelade said, “The first phase of the project is a 5MW integrated power plant consisting of solar power and natural gas. The next phase will extend uninterrupted power supply to other critical arms of government, including selected schools, Adeoyo and Ring Road Hospitals, the High Court Complex and Adamasingba Stadium, among others.”

The Commissioner added that the state government, through the Ministry of Energy, in partnership with a private energy conglomerate under a structured Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model, is undertaking the power project.

It would be recalled that Makinde had said that Oyo State under his leadership would be the first to start and complete an independent power project in the country and on December 6, he inaugurated Phase 1 of the 11MW Ibadan Hybrid Power Plant (IBHP).

Makinde also said the hybrid power facility combines solar and gas energy, which will enhance the state’s power supply, reduce energy cost, and promote environmental sustainability.

In addition, he said the power project was private sector-driven based on the BOOT model, and announced that it would supply electricity to the state government secretariat including the state House of Assembly, the State Hospital Ring Road (New Adeoyo) and the Adeoyo State Hospital among others.

According to Makinde, the power project would serve as a model to follow in Nigeria. “This is the first phase of a project that I believe would serve as the fulcrum that is pivotal to the future development of our dear state. To achieve growth, an organisation will have resources and they try to limit their expenditure. So, this is what we have been doing in Oyo State for the past five and a half years.

“This power plant is 100 per cent private investment because the government doesn’t have the money to do everything. But as government, we provided the enabling environment for investors to know that we are serious people. We have invested in road construction, interconnecting all the zones so that development spreads across the state.”