The Federal Government has announced a target to boost Nigeria’s power generation to at least 6,000 megawatts by the end of 2025. The Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, made this known 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 highlighted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu inherited a power output of less than 3,000 megawatts from existing infrastructure last year. However, ongoing efforts have led to a steady increase in power generation, improving the reliability of the nation’s power supply.
A significant portion of this power comes from the Calabar Power Plant, which was built around 15 years ago with a capacity of 625 megawatts but has remained underutilized. The plant is equipped with five turbines, each capable of producing over 125 megawatts. Currently, three turbines are operating at optimal levels, providing power to the Southeast and South-South regions of Nigeria, while the remaining two turbines are undergoing maintenance.
The Minister emphasized that the Federal Government is committed to consolidating reforms in the power sector to ensure a stable power supply across the country. He also mentioned the rising energy demand, which the government is prepared to meet. Adelabu urged stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to be proactive, stressing the importance of the power sector to the national economy.
During his visit, Minister Adelabu expressed satisfaction with the Calabar Power Plant, which he described as the most active in the region. He also revealed that the Federal Privatization Council and the Federal Executive Council are currently considering the transfer of the plant to the Cross River State Government. The state’s Commissioner for Power and Energy, Prince Eka Williams, stated that the state government is ready to manage the plant effectively.
Chiedu Ugbo, the managing director of NDPHC, noted that the plant is supplying power to a significant portion of the South-South and Southeast regions. He also stressed the need for additional sub-transmission stations to enhance power distribution across various locations.
