Tackling Nigeria’s persistent power challenges, the Federal Government has announced a robust intervention strategy poised to inject an additional 4,000 megawatts (MW) into the national grid by the end of 2026. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, revealed this ambitious target, emphasizing the government’s renewed commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to overhaul the nation’s power infrastructure.
According to a statement released by Bolaji Tunji, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, this strategic push involves engaging reputable Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies to expedite the expansion process. This new direction, sanctioned by President Tinubu, also encompasses the distribution aspect of the power sector, with other capable EPC firms enlisted to ensure comprehensive improvements.
“The strategic decisions aim to increase grid capacity by an additional 4,000MW by the end of 2026, with an aspirational target of an additional 2,000MW, as directed by the Economic Management Team in 2024,” Minister Adelabu stated. This bold objective signals a determined effort to significantly enhance the nation’s power supply capabilities within the next two years.
A tangible outcome of the ongoing efforts is the progress made under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), also known as the Siemens Power Project. Minister Adelabu highlighted that the current administration’s focused approach has breathed new life into this crucial project, paving the way for a more reliable power supply to vital sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“The inception of the present administration in 2023 brought about renewed vigour to the Siemens Power Project as an accelerated contract was signed to ensure visible progress in the project,” Adelabu affirmed. He pointedly noted the lack of substantial progress prior to President Tinubu’s assumption of office, underscoring the impact of the current administration’s determined agenda. “There is no doubt that the Siemens project has witnessed significant improvements since the inauguration of this administration,” Tunji corroborated.
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Evidence of this renewed momentum includes the successful installation and commissioning of 10 power transformers and 10 mobile substations across Nigeria in October 2023, marking the completion of the PPI’s pilot phase. Furthermore, the Federal Government initiated activities for the main phase of the PPI in 2024, setting the stage for a broader and more impactful implementation.
Beyond the Siemens initiative, the Federal Government Power Company has also undertaken several transmission projects nationwide, collectively boosting the transmission wheeling capacity by over 700 MW. This enhancement has already led to improved electricity supply for industrial areas, businesses, universities, and residential communities, demonstrating the immediate benefits of these interventions.
Minister Adelabu reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to delivering tangible results that will transform power access and reliability for Nigerians. While acknowledging the efforts of past administrations, he asserted that the Tinubu-led government has injected a new sense of urgency and clarity into the PPI, characterized by defined timelines and robust implementation strategies.
About the Siemens Power Project:
The Siemens Power Project, a collaborative effort between Nigeria and Germany, was initiated in August 2018. Its overarching goal is to comprehensively reform Nigeria’s power infrastructure through a phased increase in power generation, transmission, and distribution capacities. Under President Tinubu’s directive, an Acceleration Agreement was signed with Siemens Energy to expedite the project’s execution, signaling a strong political will to address the nation’s long-standing power sector challenges.
This renewed focus on expanding the grid capacity and revitalizing key projects like the Siemens PPI offers a glimmer of hope for Nigerian businesses and households long plagued by unreliable power supply. The commitment to a 4,000MW increase by 2026, if realized, could represent a significant step towards energy sufficiency and economic growth.
