Minister of Power Abubakar Aliyu said Thursday while appearing at a workshop organised by the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN) that Nigeria’s electricity would increase from the current 4,500 megawatts to 25,000 megawatts once the Siemens Power Project under the Presidential Power Initiative is finished.
The Presidential Power Initiative was signed in 2019 but constructions began in 2021. The project, in collaboration with Siemens, was set to be completed in three phases and was estimated to finish in 2025.
“The phases cover the upgrading and expansion of the Transmission Networks (TN) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) networks,” the minister said. “Improvement of access to affordable, efficient and reliable electricity and, providing support for industrial and economic growth in the country.
“Given Siemens AG’s accomplishment of a similar plan in Egypt and also its reputation as an international giant in the power sector related engagements, it is strongly believed that the Nigeria Electricity Roadmap (NER) is possible and achievable.”
The minister added that the government was confident of a positive outcome from the project, saying that they were evaluating the procurement process.
The minister also said that despite 80 per cent of energy in Nigeria coming from gas-fired plants, the federal government was considering attempts to add renewable sources of energy using solar, wind and hydropower plants across Nigeria.
“We are encouraging investments in renewable sources in areas with comparative advantages,” he said. “We are working tirelessly to increase the hydro and solar opportunities in the country.”
