Eunice Imo Kalu
Lagos — The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has revealed that the Zungeru hydro power plant, with a capacity of 700 megawatts, MW, is now at 99.8% ready and is set to commence operations this year upon payment of concessionary fees.
The minister disclosed this while addressing a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Adelabu noted the only thing left in the plant is the evacuation of power generated to the national grid.
He said: “The hydropower plant is 99.8% ready. It is almost completed, and we intend to start operation this year and commence evacuation to the national grid. Immediately concessionary fees are paid, we will start full operation. So, we don’t have a problem with Zungeru.”
The minister also explained the absence of the Mambila project from the 2024 budget proposal, mentioning ongoing legal disputes.
He clarified that due to unresolved legal conflicts surrounding the Mambila Power project, no funds were allocated for it in the proposed 2024 appropriation bill.
“For Mambila, there is no provision for it in 2024. It isn’t a mistake. It is deliberate. It is under international arbitration. Until it is resolved, we can’t do anything about it,” Adelabu stated.
Also, he shed light on Nigeria’s power loss during the transmission stage, approximating 40%. He stressed the need for investments in the distribution chain to reduce this loss, proposing the unbundling of distribution companies, DisCos, and increased state participation in electricity distribution.
“The existing Distribution Companies, Discos, aren’t making new investments to change their old facilities to new ones. When you lose 40% to evacuation, it is a big loss. So, we need to have enormous investments in the distribution chain,” Adelabu emphasized.
He likewise illustrated plans for growing transmission facilities inside the next two years to drive significant upgrades.
