- Plans to close 5.3million consumers metering gap
The federal government has assured Nigerians of additional 669MW of power supply before the end of 2019, to boost and increase power supply in the country.
The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who gave the assurance during the official inauguration of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) new 2×60MVA, 132/33KV substation and associated 132KV transmission lines in Abeokuta, Ogun, called for more off-grid solutions as a means of guaranteeing adequate power supply to Nigerians.
Prof. Osinbajo further stated that it is impossible to satisfy all power customers from the grid, hence the need to open up the market and allow for more off-grid solution providers on a willing-buyer willing-seller model.
According to a press statement issued by the spokesperson for the Vice President, Laolu Akande, this commissioning is an important part of government effort to improve supply and quality of power to homes and businesses in Nigeria.
He stated: “Indeed, in the past few years, resolving the power supply problem has been top priority for the Federal Government of Nigeria. Permit me to give a brief update on the state of the power sector today and a glimpse into the very near future.
“Today, we have about 13,427MW of installed capacity, and an available capacity of about 8,342MW. This was achieved through the efforts of government and its private sector partners in the rehabilitation and commissioning of turbines in Shiroro, Egbin, Delta Power, Sapele and Gbarain.
“Before the end of the year, new generation is expected from Gbarain and an extra 115 MW; Kashimbilla (40 MW); Afam III Fast Power (240 MW); Gurara (30 MW); Dadin Kowa (29 MW); and Kaduna (215 MW).
“In the long term, several solar plants will come on stream. The national grid already has the capacity to transmit 7,000MW, an increase from less than about 5,000MW in 2015 and this is due to the completion and improvement of several transmission projects.
“On May 1, 2019, Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) commenced meter rollout. Over 250,000 applications have been received and processed by DisCos to date, and of course that is then supposed to be forwarded to MAPs for installation. This figure is expected to quadruple by the end of 2019, and double by the end of 2020, largely closing the current metering gap of about 5.3million consumers.
Furthermore, Osinbajo stated that the distribution capacity of the 11 discos is significantly low, hovering at around 4,000 MW on average with a peak at about 5,400MW.
He also added that despite all the availability of about 8,000MW of generation and 7,000MW of transmission capacity, the lack of discos’ infrastructure to absorb and deliver grid power to end-users has a largely restricted generation to an average of about 4,000MW, and sometimes even falling below 4,000MW.
The Vice President, however, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is committed towards ensuring effective and cost-reflective power supply in the country.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Mr Chiedu Ugbo, said the new 2×60MVA, 132/33KV substation of Abeokuta, when fully come on stream, would provide reliable power off-take via six 33KV distribution feeders to the state capital (Abeokuta) and its environs.
He explained further that the 1×60MVA transformer at Otta will provide additional power supply via three 33KV feeders to Otta and its environs.
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