…says FG set to release $800m for construction of substations
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has lamented the rejection of power by the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) in the country.
This is as the federal government concludes plan to release $800m for the construction of substations and distribution lines under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).
The money will ensure the construction of substations for Lot 2, substations and distribution lines for Lot 3 at a cost of $400m each.
The Lot 2 covers Benin, Port Harcourt, Enugu Distribution companies (DISCOs) franchise areas while Lot 3 covers Abuja, Kaduna, Jos and Kano DISCOs franchise areas.
A statement issued by the ministry on Sunday said Adelabu during a facility tour of TBEA Southern Power Transmission and Distribution Industry in Beijing, China.
The minister was in China to attend the China-Africa Cooperation Summit.
The Minister saidon Friday, August 30, generation peaked at 5,170 megawatts, unfortunately, it had to be ramped down by 1,400 megawatts due to inability of the DISCOs to pick the supply.
“This is really regrettable considering that government is on course to increase generation to 6,000 megawatts by the end of the year.”
Also speaking during an interactive session with TBEA management, Adelabu also assured of the federal government’s commitment towards working with world class organisations like TBEA to achieve the Renewed Hope vision of President Bola Tinubu for the power sector in Nigeria especially in areas of transmission and distribution of the entire power sector value chain as well as Nigeria’s renewable energy segment.
Speaking on the problems in the power sector which had hindered industrial growth, the minister said this was due partly to the fragility of the Transmission and distribution infrastructure which have become old and dilapidated.
“This has led to historical epileptic supply of Power to households, industry and businesses”, he said.
