Zungeru Hydropower Plant Nears Completion at 99.8%, Says Adebayo Adelabu

In a recent meeting with a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Nigeria’s Minister for Power, Adebayo Adelabu, delivered a promising update on the status of the Zungeru hydropower plant. Adelabu announced that the 700-megawatt (MW) Zungeru hydropower plant is 99.8% ready for operations, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to enhance its power generation capacity.

During the session, as reported by Punch, Minister Adelabu outlined the progress of the Zungeru project, emphasizing that it is on the verge of completion. He revealed plans to commence operations later this year, contingent upon the payment of concessionary fees. Adelabu stated, “The hydropower plant is 99.8% ready. It is almost completed, and we intend to start operation this year and commence evacuation to the national grid. Immediately concessionary fees are paid, and we will start full operation. So, we don’t have a problem with Zungeru.”

In the context of the Mambila project, Minister Adelabu addressed its absence from the 2024 budget proposal, attributing the exclusion to ongoing legal conflicts. Legal disputes surrounding the Mambila Power project have persisted, with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited initiating legal action against the Federal Government in 2017. The case, taken to the International Court of Arbitration in Paris, revolves around a breach of contract related to a 2003 agreement for the construction of the 3,050MW plant in Mambila, Taraba State.

The Federal Government, in its defense, argued that the contract award was irregular and did not follow due process. Adelabu made it clear to the committee that the intentional omission of the Mambila project from the 2024 budget proposal was a strategic decision, given the unresolved legal matters. He stated, “For Mambila, there is no provision for it in 2024. It isn’t a mistake. It is deliberate. It is under international arbitration. Until it is resolved, we can’t do anything about it.”

Minister Adelabu also shed light on challenges within the power sector, revealing that Nigeria loses approximately 40% of its power during the evacuation process. He explained that the loss occurs in the transmission to distribution phase due to the considerable distance traveled. Adelabu proposed a solution, suggesting that while the government can manage transmission, states should play a crucial role in overseeing distribution.

Advocating for the unbundling of distribution companies (DisCos), Adelabu emphasized the need for states to closely monitor and participate in electricity distribution. He stressed the importance of substantial investments in the distribution chain to address the significant loss of power during evacuation. Adelabu shared plans for the expansion of transmission facilities in the coming years, expressing optimism about improvements within the next two years.

As Nigeria strives to enhance its power infrastructure, the updates provided by Minister Adelabu underscore both progress and challenges in the dynamic landscape of the country’s energy sector. Stay tuned to Infostride News for further developments on Nigeria’s power initiatives and infrastructure projects.