Why 40 Megawatts won’t translate to light for 365 days in Nigeria – MD Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority
Chima Azubuike
The Managing Director Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority Halilu Mua’zu, has clarified that although the Dadinkowa hydroelectric Power Plant is estimated to generate 40 Megawatts, it may not mean power distribution for the entire 365 days of the year across homes.
According to Mua’zu, the essential needs of the society now include power and water, adding that those who purchased distribution companies failed to increase their capacity to meet current needs.
He made this disclosure on Friday, in his address during the commissioning of 40 Megawatts Dadinkowa multipurpose hydroelectric power plant, built by Mabon Energy Limited.
Mu’azu noted that Nigeria can produce 13,000 megawatts but the distribution grid could only contain about 500 megawatts of electricity.
He said, “With the massive structure and capacity of this Power Plant which they said is 40 Megawatts. 40 Megawatts is the installed capacity and it does not mean it will generate 40 Megawatts 365 days because the aspect of supply and demand is what determines how much energy power plant can generate those of us who are 50 years and above in the past we used to hear about essential commodities in Nigeria when you say essential commodities in those days it is sugar and milk but today essential commodities are Power and Water.
“Nigeria can produce over 13,000 Megawatts but the national grid and distribution grid can hardly contain 500 Megawatts not like the power plant can’t produce but the transmission grid and distribution network were installed as far back as 1970s so those distribution companies that were given the license to provide electricity were unable to inject capital to upgrade their distribution and transmission network.”
Also speaking, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, while lauding the initiative said Gombe would work assidiously in order to benefit from the Power Plant.
Yahaya said, “The recent constitutional amendment granting States the power to generate, transmit and distribute electricity will no doubt galvanise stakeholders at the subnational level to harness their comparative advantage in energy generation. Our administration is committed to working with private investors and development finance institutions to fully explore this comparative advantage for the benefit of our people.”
Also, Minister of Water Resources Engineer Suleiman Adamu, who performed the task of Commissioning the project said the project has been tested since 2020 and has since been supplying power to national grid.
He said, “It has been connected to the National grid to deliver 40 Megawatts of electricity. The Power project is an integral part of Dadinkowa Multipurpose dam with the goal of providing 6,000 hectares of irrigation, 40 Megawatts of electricity and 30,000 cubic meter of water supply to Gombe.
“I’m happy to inform this August gathering that the statutory inspection by relevant testing and certification of unit of the Power Plant by relevant agencies of Government have been completed making the power plant ready for commissioning.
“The three unit turbines were activated and generation capacity test conducted with stakeholders between 18th and 21st March 2020 with the concessionaire satisfactorily completing the power plant in December 2020.”
On his part, Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar III, who was represented by Mai Kaltungo Saleh Mohammed, lauded the efforts of Federal Government, adding that it would boost business in the State.
“The expectations of Gombe State people are high, they expect to see light everywhere. We want to thank the Federal Government for making this come true,” the Monarch added.
