....Minister unveils new strategy for power sector.
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has reassured Nigerians of his ministry’s commitment to prioritising electricity supply in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s Electricity Turnaround Agenda.
In his New Year message, the minister promised that the ministry, its agencies and power distribution companies (DisCos) worked tirelessly during the Yuletide season to enhance power supply.
He said there had been some positive improvements in the power supply situation.
Adelabu said in recognising the critical role of electricity to economic growth, his first three months in office focused on the diagnosis, stakeholder consultation, and strategy formulation.
The minister said with a well-documented implementation plan, the ministry was ready to take decisive action.
“Our primary focus is enhancing distribution and transmission infrastructure to minimise technical and commercial losses. The lack of liquidity continues to be a significant challenge in the electricity market.
“We are currently reviewing the implementation process of a cost reflective tariff, while government will continue to subsidise power supply to those that are vulnerable in our society. Closing the meter gap is imperative, and ongoing initiatives, including World Bank programmes and the Presidential Metering Initiatives, will gain momentum.
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“The ministry will intervene in distribution infrastructure, supplying transformers to communities without burdening citizens financially,” he said.
Adelabu also said rural electrification would remain a priority with plans for solar-powered mini/micro grids and street lights.
The minister said the government would collaborate closely with DisCos and state electricity boards.
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“Our efforts will align with local needs,” he said.
Adelabu announced that for the country to improve the transmission infrastructure, “we have reactivated the Presidential Power Initiative (Siemens Project) which will strengthen the national grid, and minimise technical losses”.
He added: “We will also be implementing the Eastern and Western super grid projects to strengthen the grid and increase electricity supply to demand centres in the country.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) will be reconstituted in the short term, separating transmission services from system and market operations in the first quarter of this year.
“In the medium to long-term, the transmission grid will be separated into regional grids to enable effective management.
“Generating at installed capacity is a goal for government-owned plants, while private companies are encouraged to invest further.
“Off-grid and distributed generation, utilising renewables, will be a focal point, solar PV plants, small hydro plants, and wind farms will be strategically deployed.”
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