On January 11, 2024, the government of Nigeria inaugurated an experimental solar photovoltaic project in Kainji, located in the state of Niger, with a capacity of 300 kWp. On January 12, 2024, a statement was released by Bolaji Tunji, wherein he unveiled that he served as the special advisor for strategic communication and media relations to the Minister of Power. In accordance with the announcement, the commencement of the undertaking is a step forward in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to ensure that both commercial enterprises and households in the nation have dependable and superior electricity supply. KWp is an acronym denoting the pinnacle electricity output, measured in kilowatts, of a given system.
Mr. Tunji mentioned that President Bola Tinubu’s drive towards achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda and ensuring sufficient, dependable, and high-quality electricity for households and businesses in the nation led the Federal government to inaugurate a pilot project of 300 kWp Solar PV in Kainji, Niger State on Thursday. During the initiation of the project, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu acknowledged that the main objective of the project is to boost power generation capacity and decrease electricity expenses. Moreover, it aims to promote closer cooperation between Mainstream Energy Solution, the primary concessionaire, and its Chinese collaborator, HEDC, in the realm of renewable energy. As part of the Kainji HPP project, the extension of 1G3 and 1G4, also known as the rehabilitation of 1G9, includes a 675 kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This significant power project statement highlights the crucial role of BESS in enhancing the overall operation.
Their aim is to reduce technical and commercial losses.
Adelabu expressed satisfaction with the advancing endeavours towards accomplishing President Tinubu’s ambitious revitalization plan for ensuring a consistent and superior electricity supply. The power ministry has set a clear goal of fulfilling the power demand by enhancing the distribution and transmission infrastructure. Their aim is to reduce technical and commercial losses, bridge the metering gap, and effectively address the challenges posed by liquidity constraints, power theft, and vandalism. The National Security Adviser (NSA) has been informed about the numerous power tower demolitions across the nation in order to bolster the security measures surrounding the power infrastructure, he remarked.
Also, the focus of the ministry lies in enhancing transmission and distribution capacity, as it is fruitless to exert substantial energy in establishing power facilities without a robust delivery channel, he remarked. Mr. Adelabu stressed the importance of safeguarding power facilities and combatting power theft and infrastructure destruction, urging Nigerians and the various communities harboring these facilities to take responsibility in protecting them. Why do governments and private companies invest resources into these power facilities, despite the fact that certain individuals in society intentionally seek to damage these assets that belong to the entire nation? Mr. Adelabu expressed his sorrow over the disheartening events that unfolded in late 2023. Tragically, some power towers were destroyed, resulting in loss of life. Such incidents are truly unfortunate. It is incumbent upon each and every Nigerian to assume individual and collective responsibility for safeguarding the nation’s infrastructure.
This will facilitate the provision of sustainable power supply.
An announcement was made regarding the implementation of strategies to combat power theft effectively. The focus is not only on upcoming plans but also on the importance of introducing strict legislation to discourage potential offenders. The minister made an announcement about the commencement of initiatives to address the existing metering inadequacies in the nation. At this moment, the electricity user count stands at approximately 12 million. However, only five million of these users have meters installed. The president established the presidential mass metering initiative, of which he is Chairman. They are diligently striving to close the gap in metering through their continued efforts on this initiative, he conveyed.
Furthermore, the government has received a guarantee from Mr. Adelabu that it will persist in creating a favourable atmosphere for the private sector to take advantage of government policies, incentives, and regulations. This will facilitate the provision of sustainable power supply, leading to economic growth and an enhanced quality of life for all Nigerians, particularly those residing in rural areas. Additionally, he remarked that the government had devised pertinent measures and initiatives to guide the populace in securing access to reliable electricity. Lamu Audu, the Managing Director of Mainstream Energy Solutions, stated during a previous statement that this project aligns with the federal government’s renewable energy and energy efficiency policy. This policy outlines the strategic plan to enhance the nation’s renewable energy growth by 2030.
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According to him, the pilot project marks the initiation of mainstreams attempt to incorporate diverse renewable energy sources into its central operations. He highlighted that a comprehensive blueprint is already in place to construct 450 MWp and 150 MWp Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems at Kainji and Jebba Hydro Power Plants (HPPs), implying significant progress in the implementation of this plan. The government was urged by Mr. Audu to persist in creating a supportive atmosphere that would entice additional financial contributions from private investors.
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