12 May 2015, Abuja — The Ministry of Power has disclosed in Abuja that the 10Mega Watt Katsina wind farm project has reached 98 percent completion and is now undergoing test run.Permanent Secretary, of the Godknows Igali said in a statement at the weekend that test run has commenced on the thirty-seven turbines with the five already successfully tested.
He also confirmed that the transmission line for the evacuation of the power to be produced is ready through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Igali also disclosed that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring smooth running of this pilot scheme, and plans to replicate it in the entire northern region, where wind velocity is higher.
He stressed that the harnessing of wind resource is an integral part of the newly approved national policy on sustainable energy and energy efficiency.
Katsina Wind-Power Project which was scheduled for completion last year’s was delayed by the kidnapping of French national who was in-charge of the project.
Igali however, noted that another French company was subsequently engaged to complete the project.
He explained that the wind-farm was one component of the renewable energy programme of the Federal Government which has been boosted by the approval of the first-ever National Policy on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency by the Federal Executive Council last Wednesday.
The Permanent Secretary enumerated other renewable energy projects to include small, medium, and large hydros as well as solar power and bio-mass power projects.
He further disclosed that government has put in place, measures to check the menace of power infrastructure vandalism.
*Obas Esiedesa – Daily Independent