Amid the incessant nationwide grid collapses which have continued to throw the nation into darkness for days, some states have intensified push for impartial energy vegetation for a secure and inexpensive energy provide.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that whereas some states have initiated the ability technology processes, others have reached superior levels.
The nationwide energy grid is an enormous community {of electrical} transmission traces that hyperlinks energy stations to end-users throughout the nation.
The grid has collapsed 10 instances between January and November 7. The grid collapsed on Tuesday and suffered one other disturbance on Thursday, plunging the nation into widespread darkness.
As of seven.30pm on Friday, a complete of two,306.35MW technology had been restored, in response to an replace supplied on the official X deal with of the Nigeria Nationwide Grid.
Findings by Saturday PUNCH revealed that between 2015 and 2024, the grid has collapsed about 110 instances.
In line with reviews and knowledge obtained from the Nigeria Electrical energy Regulation Fee, the grid collapsed roughly 93 instances throughout the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Between June 2023 and November 2024, the grid collapsed about 17 instances for varied causes.
The persistent collapses and excessive tariffs have spurred state governments to think about impartial energy technology.
Energy technology, which was unique to the Federal Authorities, is now on the concurrent listing within the 1999 Structure.
President Bola Tinubu signed a brand new Electrical energy Act into regulation in June 2023 as a part of the transfer to reform the ability sector.
The Act offers states the ability to generate, transmit, and distribute electrical energy inside their jurisdiction.
Presently, no fewer than 12 states have proven dedication to producing their energy.
Lagos 4 energy hubs
Taking the lead in self-regulating energy technology is Lagos State, which is establishing 4 gas-fired energy hubs, every requiring a minimal of 100MW capability.
The state has invited impartial energy producers and power answer corporations to submit bids for developing gas-fired energy vegetation to bridge the state’s persistent electrical energy hole.
The Lagos State Home of Meeting is already contemplating the ‘Lagos State Electrical energy Invoice 2024’, a proposed regulation that goals to create an impartial electrical energy market largely separate from the nationwide grid.
If handed into regulation, the state will regulate, generate, transmit, and distribute energy for its shoppers.
In an announcement collectively issued by the Commissioner, Ministry of Power and Mineral Assets, Biodun Ogunleye, and Particular Adviser, Workplace of Public-Non-public Partnership, Bukola Odoe, the state’s electrical energy requirement surpasses 6GW, whereas the present provide from the nationwide grid delivers below 2GW at peak instances.
14 Ekiti electrical energy buyers
Additionally, the Ekiti State Authorities has granted operational licences to 14 electrical energy buyers for impartial energy technology.
The state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, mentioned the transfer would improve energy technology, guarantee environment friendly distribution, and supply dependable metering for residents.
Oyebanji, who took to his X deal with on Thursday to announce the state’s progress within the energy sector, mentioned three distribution, 4 technology and two mini-grid technology firms, and 5 meter asset suppliers had been licensed.
“Presently, Ekiti receives roughly 20-25MW from the nationwide grid, which falls wanting our estimated requirement of 120MW. Our purpose is to succeed in 130MW by way of a sturdy state grid, decreasing our dependency on the nationwide provide and selling sustainable, regionally managed power options.
“This initiative aligns with the 2023 Electrical energy Regulation Enactments, which empower states to decentralise electrical energy markets and license suppliers to satisfy native wants higher,” he acknowledged.
Osun’s electrical energy invoice
The Osun State Authorities has additionally initiated the method for impartial energy technology.
The state Commissioner for Power Growth, Festus Adeyemo, whereas chatting with considered one of our correspondents on Friday, mentioned the state had already commenced work on plans to generate its power.
Adeyemo, who mentioned Governor Ademola Adeleke would quickly transmit a invoice on electrical energy technology and advertising and marketing to the Home of Meeting for consideration, added that the state was additionally engaged on a mini-hydro electrical energy venture at Ikeji-Ile.
Oyan Dam for Ogun
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, throughout the inauguration of his cupboard members for his second time period in workplace, mentioned his authorities would set up the Ministry of Power to pursue the need of the state authorities to have its energy technology firm.
The Managing Director and Chief Govt Officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Growth Authority, Dr Adedeji Ashiru, disclosed about two weeks in the past that the Ogun State Authorities was contemplating exploring the potential of Oyan Dam to offer electrical energy for the state.
Rivers turbine initiatives
Already, Rivers State has 4 gasoline turbine initiatives with the capability to generate over 450MW of electrical energy.
However the state authorities mentioned it was handicapped and unable to utilise the venture maximally for the good thing about its folks as a result of monopoly of the Federal Authorities on the distribution of energy prior to now.
The state Commissioner for Energy, Solomon Eke, who disclosed this throughout a phone interview with Saturday PUNCH on Thursday, mentioned the generators had been being upgraded.
He acknowledged, “Rivers State has 4 impartial gasoline generators. We’re upgrading them and personal buyers are additionally coming in. We’re the primary to start building of impartial energy and they’re functioning.”
Benue able to generate energy
Benue State has additionally expressed readiness to have an influence plant within the state.
The Managing Director of the Benue Funding and Property Firm, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, mentioned the ability plant could be geared in direction of producing electrical energy to spice up socio-economic growth throughout communities within the state.
He disclosed this throughout a gathering with a delegation of Africa of Treatment Earth at BIPC headquarters in Makurdi lately.
Asemakaha requested the electrical energy firm to arrange a pilot plant in Benue State, sustaining that it was obligatory for the state to personal an influence technology plant that will rework the state and stimulate financial actions.
He mentioned, “We all know that one factor that stimulates the economic system is when you have got sufficient energy. So, we’re in search of choices to make sure that the state generates its energy and shares it with its communities.”
Kogi begins strikes, Gombe indicators MoU
The Kogi State Authorities mentioned it had commenced plans to generate its personal electrical energy.
In line with the Particular Adviser to the Governor on Media, Ismail Iash, the invoice for the creation of an electrical energy market and institution of the Kogi State Electrical energy Firm was handed into regulation in July 2024.
Lash informed Saturday PUNCH on Friday that the state authorities had invited operators to partake within the technology and distribution of electrical energy within the state.
He added that the federal government additionally deliberate to enhance the efforts of current or legacy distribution firms to enhance entry to electrical energy by investing in energy infrastructure for the good thing about the folks of the state.
The Gombe State Authorities has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China18th Engineering, a global engineering, for the supply of a 100-megawatt photo voltaic power plant, as a part of measures to reinforce power self-sufficiency within the state.
The settlement adopted a gathering between Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and high executives of China Railway 18th Bureau Group in China. Yahaya emphasised the significance of native energy technology in driving financial progress and addressing frequent energy outages.
“The MoU signifies the start of a transformative venture that can enhance electrical energy provide and convey prosperity to our folks,” he mentioned.
The governor referenced the latest nationwide blackout that affected Gombe State and different components of northern Nigeria, stressing that native energy stations and various power sources might mitigate such disruptions.
Meeting empowers Nasarawa govt
In the meantime, Nasarawa State Home of Meeting has empowered the state authorities to generate its electrical energy as a way to proffer an enduring answer to the constant energy outages within the state.
A Senior Particular Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, acknowledged this whereas talking with our correspondent in Lafia on Friday.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the Home of Meeting had obtained a report of the Home Standing Committee on Works and Transport on a invoice for a regulation to repeal and re-enact the Nasarawa State Electrical energy Energy Company Regulation, 2018 and supply for Electrical energy Era, Transmission, System Operation, Distribution and Provide within the state and for different issues linked therewith.
Edo’s 95MW energy plant
Saturday PUNCH gathered {that a} 95 MW Ossiomo Energy plant in Edo State had been supplying energy to the state Authorities Home and all authorities places of work, together with the secretariat on Sapele Highway.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that over 20 firms working in Benin had been linked to the Ossiomo Energy Plant.
The Ossiomo Energy Plant is situated at Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Native Authorities Space, and in addition offers energy to the Benin Enterprise Park and the constructing of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists on Reservation Highway, GRA.
The Managing Director of Ossiomo Energy Firm, Uwa Igiehon, mentioned, “We’ve got onboarded over 20 energy firms in the previous couple of months as plenty of individuals have now come to just accept us as essentially the most dependable various to secure electrical energy.
“This exhibits that if we’re dedicated, we will clear up Nigeria’s issues. We’ve got proven that we’ve the capability to offer secure energy to be used by each private and non-private firms that are contributing to the expansion of the economic system.”
Kaduna adopts photo voltaic power
The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has initiated discussions with the Minister of Energy, Bayo Adelabu, to discover various energy technology options for the state.
A high authorities official, who craved anonymity as a result of he was not permitted to speak on the matter, informed Saturday PUNCH on Friday that the transfer got here as a response to the persistent energy outages affecting the state and the northern area.
The official disclosed that that plans had been underway to generate 50-300MW of photo voltaic power in three native authorities areas, creating 1,000 direct and 5,000 oblique jobs.
He added that the state recognized renewable power as a key space to give attention to, notably photo voltaic power, given the state’s plentiful daylight.
Confirming the plan for renewable, Governor Sani, on his X deal with, mentioned his dialogue with Adelabu centred on leveraging renewable power sources and collaborations among the many Federal Authorities, Kaduna State Authorities and different related organisations.
He mentioned, “A number of photo voltaic firms have already been drawn to the state, together with Anjeed Kafanchan Photo voltaic which is eyeing 100MW photo voltaic plant in Kaduna State; Quaint Abiba 50MW photo voltaic venture in Kaduna; Skipper Seil, 100MW photo voltaic plant and manufacturing of electrical energy transformers and equipment in addition to.”
Fintiri abandons Nyako’s venture
In the meantime, the administration of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has but to take any step on the Kiri Dam Electrical energy Challenge initiated by ex-governor Murtala Nyako.
In 2008, Nyako engaged a United States-based agency to carry out a feasibility research of the 35MW Kiri hydroelectric venture on the current Kiri Dam.
A former US ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, and Nyako signed a grant settlement offering US$467,000 from the US Commerce and Growth Company to finance the technical help to the state.
The venture is to incorporate a hydro plant, a transmission line to the nationwide grid, and a separate transmission line to Yola, the state capital.
The dam, situated in Shelleng Native Authorities Space in southern Adamawa, is a significant water reservoir that at present offers water for the irrigation of the cane plantation of the Dangote Sugar Refinery in Numan.
Final month, the Federal Authorities started strikes to make sure the utilisation of the dam to generate electrical energy.
The Adamawa State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Power Growth, Adamu Atiku, couldn’t be reached for touch upon the ability venture.
North’s single IPP
The Zamfara State Authorities mentioned it had no plan to have its personal energy technology plant due to the decision by the northern governors to have a single impartial energy technology plant.
Chatting with Saturday PUNCH, the Senior Particular Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Communications, Mustafa Jafaru, mentioned the 19 northern governors would supply a single energy technology plant for your complete area.