Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity reached a new landmark of 5,000 Mega Watts in May 2024, according to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. This development marks a considerable leap from prior production levels.
During the ongoing ministerial sectoral update in Abuja, Minister Adelabu highlighted this accomplishment as a testament to the government’s dedication to fortifying the nation’s power infrastructure, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for renewing hope through reliable and sustainable energy supply.
As reported by African Future Leadership Magazine, this surge in power generation is anticipated to tackle chronic issues such as frequent power outages and inadequate capacity, thereby enhancing grid stability and reducing dependence on individual power generation systems.
Previously in April, the Minister had outlined the Federal Government’s objective to increase power generation to 6,000 MW by the end of 2024, up from the 4,000 MW capacity.
Reflecting on the national reliance on the grid system, Adelabu noted the setting of an ambitious goal to reach a transmission capacity of 10-12,000 over the next three years. He affirmed the current administration’s resolve to exceed the 4,000 MW hurdle, which has persisted for decades.
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The country has been grappling with multiple national grid failures in recent times.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) revealed that there have been six incidents of power grid collapse in 2024 alone.
Factors cited for these recurring collapses include gas shortages for electricity generation and deliberate damage to power infrastructure.
A few weeks prior, Minister Adelabu had disclosed a government expenditure nearing ₦700 billion on electricity subsidies over the past year. He addressed that the government continues to subsidize electricity, as the tariffs approved for DISCOs to charge are not reflective of actual costs.
The statement was made during Minister Adelabu’s official visit to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) in Oyo State, marking the starting point of his nationwide tour.
SOURCE: African Future Leadership Magazine.
