Chief Bayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, has announced the federal government’s goal of generating a minimum of 6,000 megawatts of power before the conclusion of the year.
During a visit to the Calabar Power Plant of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the minister shared this information.
He mentioned that last year, the government inherited an output of less than 3,000 megawatts from the power infrastructures. However, there has been a steady increase in power generation to ensure consistent availability, with a significant portion coming from the Calabar plant of NDPHC.
The Calabar power generation plant is capable of producing up to 625 megawatts but has been underutilized for about 15 years, according to the minister.
Out of the plant’s five power turbines, three are presently operating optimally, each delivering over 125 megawatts for the Southeast and South South regions of the country. The remaining two are undergoing maintenance, potentially allowing a total output exceeding 500 megawatts from the Calabar plant alone.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to reforming the power sector for enhanced stability in energy supply nationwide, the minister highlighted the increasing energy demands and the readiness of the government to meet these demands.
He urged stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to be proactive, stressing the critical importance of the power sector to the nation’s economy. The minister affirmed that the sector reforms aim to optimize power generation and distribution to cater to the growing energy needs of Nigerians.
Regarding the privatisation of the plant to the Cross River State Government, the minister revealed that the proposal is currently under review by the Federal Privatization Council and Federal Executive Council.
Prince Eka Williams, the Commissioner for Power and Energy in Cross River State, expressed the state government’s readiness and capability to take over the plant’s operations efficiently, citing available expertise within the firm.
Chiedu Ugbo, the managing director of the firm, highlighted their current contribution to power supply in the South South and South East regions but underscored the need for additional sub-transmission power stations to enhance power distribution.