Imported User:
The Federal Government has disclosed that an additional 450MW of electricity would be added to the national grid this year from the Ihonvbor power plant in Edo State.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Power, the 450MW facility is made up of four units which would be commissioned this year, beginning from June.
Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji who just returned from an unscheduled visit to the facility explained that “from the look of things, the switchyard will be ready in May and the transmission infrastructure through which power generated will be evacuated, will be ready in June.
“General Electric, the contracting firm handling the four units, has promised that each unit will be commissioned every month from June if it is provided with electricity to complete the job as soon as possible.”
The minister called on all parties involved in the execution of critical power projects across the country to bring to his knowledge every problem militating against meeting their respective deadlines, with a view to finding quick resolutions.
“Both President Goodluck Jonathan and the people of Nigeria are tired of hearing excuses and explanations for inadequate supply, all they legitimately want is power availability. Every obstacle on the way to the realisation of the electricity plans must be tackled with the seriousness and decisiveness it deserves,” he said.
On the dip in power supply across the country in the last one month, the minister attributed the development to the low water levels in the dams supplying water to the country’s three hydro power stations at Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro, and gas problems.
“We are experiencing our worst water levels in 10 years because of the poor rainy season last year in neighbouring countries, from which we derive black flood for the hydro plants,” he informed.
He further assured that a minimum of 1000mw will be added this year to the quantum of 4,400mw which was achieved in January, noting that it was achievable with the participation of global companies like General Electric, Siemens and Daewoo.
