Calabar, Aug. 14, 2024 – The federal government plans to generate at least 6,000 megawatts of power by the end of this year.
Bayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, disclosed this in Calabar on Tuesday during a visit to the Calabar Power Plant of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).
He said the federal government met less than 3,000 megawatts of power last year, but was determined to ensure that power is steadily available.
The minister said the country would depend much on the Calabar power generation plant since the plant had a capacity of 625 megawatts of output which was largely unutilised.
He said the plant, built about 15 years ago, had five power turbines out of which three are working optimally.
“Two are undergoing turnaround maintenance, which means that it is possible to generate over 500 megawatts from the Calabar power plant alone,” he said.
Adelabu said the federal government was consolidating its reforms in the power sector to ensure stable power supply across the country.
He said there had been increase in energy demand in the country and promised that the government was determined to meet the demands.
“The power sector is very critical to both the government and national economy. This is why the president has asked me to visit all the power plants in the country and assess their functionality.
“It is not going to be business as usual. Players in the power sector must be up and about as the federal government is reforming the sector for optimal power generation and distribution in order to meet the huge demands of Nigerians.
“From my assessment, the Calabar Power Plant of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, is the most active. I’m very satisfied. We’re encouraging power installation and generations,” the minister said.
