Irked by perennial power outage, Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa governments have initiated viable Independent Power Projects (IPP), to boost electricity supply in the states.
The Gombe state government has initiated a 140 Megawatt hydroelectric plant, while the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) planned to set up a 100MW power plant in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa franchise states.
The projects seek to encourage development of alternative energies such as solar, wind, biomass and hydro, to address lingering epileptic electricity supply bedeviling the states.
It was being implemented by the respective state governments and relevant electricity companies under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, in accordance with the operational frameworks set out by the National Electricity Commission (NERC).
Stakeholders in the power sector stated this while responding to a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on epileptic electricity supply occasioned by the frequent collapse of the national grid.
The stakeholders, including experts, government officials, business owners and electricity consumers, lauded the initiative, adding that it would address the blackout that plagued the states in the last two months.
They said the development of renewable energies would improve power supply and fasttrack social and economic development in the states.
Dr Adamu Hassan, a lecturer, Department of Electrical Electronics, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, identified funding constraints, transmission and distribution challenges as the major impediments to sustainable power supply in the country.
He said that private sector investment was critical to augment the government’s limited resources to adequately support power plant development and transmission capacity.
The don also warned that high technical and non-technical losses, vandalism and poor infrastructure might plague the system, stressing that lack of clear policies and regulatory frameworks discourage investment in the power sector.
Hassan, however, expressed optimism that states could overcome the hurdles via establishment of independent power plants, to improve power supply.
Also, Ahmad Zailani and Ibrahim Ali, electronic experts in Jigawa, underscored the imperative of private sector investment, to encourage development of independent power plants, especially in northern parts of Nigeria, endowed with abundant solar, wind and biomass energy sources.
Zailani highlinted that Jigawa state has the potential to produce biofuel to fast track implementation of its rural electrification programme.
He said that biofuel could be sourced from sugar cane and Jatropha plants, which are largely produced in Jigawa.
This biofuel, he said, has potential to produce quality fuel to power engines and machineries.
“Governments should encourage private sector participation, to bridge funding gaps, strengthen regulatory frameworks and institutions, to ensure effective oversight and investment in modern transmission and distribution infrastructure,” he said.
To achieve power self-sufficiency, the Gombe state government had embarked on a 100MW solar energy plant project.
Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House Gombe, said the state government was utilising alternative power sources to ease dependence on the national grid and boost its revenue base.
According to Uba-Misilli, the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China 18th Engineering, for the development of the power plant.
“The 100MW plant is expected to create jobs, attract investment and provide stable power supply to industries and residents of the state.
“When this project comes to fruition, there will definitely be enhancement of many opportunities in terms of businesses, social and economic activities.
“With the 100MW and the Dadinkowa dam which is generating 40MW, Gombe state will become an energy hub.
“The state government is also working on the Balanga dam hydropower component, to generate power for irrigation farming across that axis,” he said, adding that the plant would supply electricity to consumers outside the state.
In the same vein, the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), announced a $100 million investment for establishment of a 100MW power plant, to improve supply to Kano, Katsina and Jigawa franchise states.
Sani Bala, Head, Corporate Services, KEDCO, said the project tagged: “Safe Grid,” would ensure uninterrupted power supply and reduce reliance on the national grid.
According to him, the company is still receiving less than half of its power allocation from the grid, adding that the trend caused disruption to businesses and challenged its financial performances.
Sani said the ‘Safe Grid’ would be powered by embedded electricity generation in KEDCO’s network, adding that, “the move will address unreliability and blackout, enabling key industries and socio-economic activities to thrive in the franchise states, while safeguarding jobs and competitiveness in their network.
“This project will build the first 20MW out of the 100MW grid under an Emergency Project valued at $20 million that will be operational by the end of the year.
“The generation units are already available and KEDCO is accelerating project development ahead of installation and commissioning in the Tamburawa area of Kano State,” he said.
He said the company would also purchase electricity for the “Safe Grid” from the 10MW Haske Solar Power Plant, built by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
The grid, he said, would also get 16MW from the combined capacities of Tiga and Chalawa Hydroelectric Power projects built by the Kano state government.
“KEDCO is excited to be the first DisCo, to offer 24-hour supply through the ‘Safe Grid’ initiative,” he said, adding that it would actualise the visions of the state governors in making the franchise area attractive for industrial and agro-processing businesses.
In Jigawa, while the House of Assembly passed the 2024 Electricity Bill, to improve power generation and distribution, the state government also approved N173 million for installation of solar mini grids at General Hospital, Dutse, and 30 health facilities.
Mr Sagir Musa and Dr Abdullahi Kainuwa, Commissioners for Information and Health, said the gesture would ensure steady power supply to the facilities.
Also, Hashim Ibrahim, a state legislator, said the passage of the bill was part of the state government’s efforts towards encouraging development of alternative energies.
In this regard, the bill made provision for establishment of the state Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, adding that, “the overall objective is to enable the state to have its own independent power sources.
“All members of the house unanimously agreed to that bill, and a commissioner has been appointed to manage the ministry.
“We are going to achieve our desired goal of obtaining sustainable power either through solar, wind or hydro.” (NAN)
