Nigeria’s power generation has surged to its highest level in three years, reaching 5,313 megawatts, according to the Federal Ministry of Power. The milestone was announced on Monday in a statement issued by Bolaji Tunji, the media aide to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
The statement emphasized the importance of electricity distribution companies (Discos) ensuring that the generated energy is adequately distributed. “The national grid on Monday hit a record high of 5,313MW, a record high in the last three years,” the statement disclosed.
Reacting to the development, Minister Adelabu urged Discos to absorb more energy to prevent grid collapse, which can occur when power generated is not fully utilized. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to encourage industries to purchase bulk energy, which could help stabilize the grid.
However, a top official from one of the Discos, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concerns about the challenges in absorbing the additional power. The official highlighted that the current tariff structure, especially for customer bands other than Band A, makes it difficult for Discos to pick up the extra energy without incurring losses. “Yes, they supply more power, but this problem could be solved with improved tariffs for other bands and increased meter penetration to recover costs,” the official said.
Just days earlier, the ministry had reported that power generation, which peaked at 5,170MW, was reduced by 1,400MW due to energy rejection by the Discos.
In related news, the Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China’s Mutual Commitment Company Limited to assemble electric tricycles and establish a renewable energy training center in Nigeria. The MoU signing ceremony, facilitated by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), took place in Beijing, ahead of the African-China Cooperation Summit. The event was attended by Minister Adelabu and REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu.
During the ceremony, Minister Adelabu highlighted the significance of the agreement, noting that it aligns with Nigeria’s vision for expanding its renewable energy sector. He praised the initiative as a step towards achieving the goals of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the power sector as a driver of economic growth.
Adelabu further stressed the importance of moving away from a centralized power model to a distributed energy approach, especially to enhance energy access for rural communities, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources, which would not only improve energy access but also create job opportunities for the country’s growing youthful population.
The Vice Chairman of MCC, Yan Zhezhu, expressed his commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy growth and praised the ongoing cooperation between MCC and the Nigerian government.
The REA’s Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, also underscored the potential impact of the MoU on job creation and local capacity building, stating that the initiative would be closely monitored to ensure it delivers on its promises within the current administration’s tenure.
