The Federal Government has set an ambitious goal to boost Nigeria’s power generation to at least 6,000 megawatts by the end of 2025.
This target was confirmed by the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, during an assessment visit to the Calabar Power Plant, managed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
Minister Adelabu pointed out that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu inherited a power output of less than 3,000 megawatts from existing infrastructure last year. However, he noted that there has been steady progress in increasing power generation, leading to a more dependable electricity supply.
A significant portion of this improved power generation is attributed to the Calabar Power Plant, which plays a crucial role in the national grid. Adelabu revealed that the facility, which was built around 15 years ago with a capacity of 625 megawatts, had been underutilized for much of its existence.
The plant is equipped with five turbines, each capable of producing over 125 megawatts. Currently, three of these turbines are operating at full capacity, supplying power to the Southeast and South-South regions of Nigeria. The remaining two turbines are undergoing turnaround maintenance, with the potential to bring the plant’s output to over 500 megawatts once they are back online.
The Minister emphasized that the federal government is committed to consolidating reforms within the power sector to ensure a stable and reliable power supply across the country. He acknowledged the growing demand for energy and assured that the government is prepared to meet these needs.
Adelabu also called on stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to adopt a proactive approach, stressing that the power sector is vital to both the government and the national economy. “The President has tasked me with visiting all power plants across the country to assess their functionality. It’s no longer business as usual. Stakeholders in the power sector must be vigilant as the federal government is implementing reforms aimed at optimizing power generation and distribution to meet the demands of Nigerians,” he stated.
He expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Calabar Power Plant, describing it as the most active in the country. “We are encouraging power installations and generation,” Adelabu added.
Regarding the potential privatization of the Calabar Power Plant to the Cross River State Government, the Minister mentioned that the proposal is currently under review by the Federal Privatization Council and the Federal Executive Council.
Prince Eka Williams, the Commissioner for Power and Energy in Cross River, expressed confidence in the state government’s readiness and capacity to effectively manage the plant, citing the expertise available within the organization.
Chiedu Ugbo, the Managing Director of NDPHC, highlighted that the plant is currently supplying power to a large portion of the South-South and Southeast regions. He also stressed the need for additional sub-transmission power stations to improve power distribution across various locations.
