The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has disclosed plans to expand Nigeria’s national electricity grid by an additional 150 megawatts (MW) before the end of 2024.
The goal is to address the grid’s fragility and improve power supply across the country.
Speaking after a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, which included German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu highlighted progress under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).
According to the Minister, the pilot phase of the initiative has been commendable, including the importation, installation, and commissioning of 10 power transformers and 10 mobile substations, with only two yet to be fully operational.
“The progress we have made under this pilot phase has already increased our grid’s transmission capacity by 750MW, contributing to the relative stability we are now witnessing,” Adelabu stated.
He further assured that the ongoing work would enhance the grid’s capacity by an additional 150MW upon the completion of the pilot phase.
The national grid, which frequently collapses largely due to aging infrastructure, is a huge challenge for Nigeria’s power sector.
Adelabu acknowledged these issues, describing the grid as “fragile and dilapidated,” stating that the government is working towards overhauling the system.
“When Phase One of the transmission upgrade is complete, the grid will be transformed. However, we must recognise that this is a long-term project requiring sustained effort and investment,” he noted.
This year alone, the grid has reportedly collapsed 12 times, leaving regions of the country in total blackout. In one recent incident, the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (Jos Disco) confirmed a collapse that occurred midweek, attributing it to the longstanding limitations in maintenance and capacity.
Nigeria’s power sector challenges extend beyond grid collapses, with the inability to meet growing energy demands worsening the situation. These failures have consequences, disrupting industries, businesses, and households.
Many Nigerians have resorted to alternative power sources such as generators, which are not just costly but also environmentally damaging.
While the government has rolled out initiatives to modernise the grid and increase generation capacity, progress has been slow. The PPI, launched as a collaboration between Nigeria and Siemens under the previous administration, aims to address some of these systemic issues by delivering modern equipment and infrastructure.
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