Nigeria has achieved a significant milestone in power generation, reaching a three-year high of 5,313 megawatts on Monday, according to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Power. The ministry, through the media aide to the power minister, Bolaji Tunji, urged electricity distributors to ensure the effective distribution of this increased energy output.
“The national grid on Monday achieved a record high of 5,313MW, the highest in the last three years,” the statement revealed.
In response, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, emphasized the need for power distribution companies to take up the additional energy to prevent grid instability. He noted that the grid’s frequency could drop if the generated power is not adequately absorbed by the Discos. Adelabu also mentioned ongoing efforts to encourage industrial sectors to purchase energy in bulk.
However, a senior official from one of the Discos, speaking anonymously, expressed concerns about the challenges in absorbing the extra power. The official pointed out that the companies are struggling with tariffs on all bands except Band A, leading to operational losses.
“While more power is being supplied, the issue could be addressed by improving tariffs for the other bands and increasing meter penetration to recover costs,” the official stated.
The ministry had earlier reported a peak power generation of 5,170MW on Saturday, which was reduced by 1,400MW due to energy rejection by the Discos.
In a related development, the Federal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese company Mutual Commitment Company Limited to assemble electric tricycles and establish a renewable energy training center in Nigeria. The signing ceremony, facilitated by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), took place in Beijing on the eve of the African-China Cooperation Summit.
Minister Adelabu, who attended the ceremony alongside REA Managing Director Mr. Abba Aliyu, described the MoU as a significant step toward achieving Nigeria’s renewable energy goals. He highlighted the importance of this collaboration, noting that it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Adelabu underscored the need to decentralize Nigeria’s power sector, stating that almost 40% of the population still lacks access to energy. He emphasized the potential of distributed power models to expand energy access, particularly in rural areas, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities.
As Nigeria works to increase energy access, the country is also committed to transitioning to cleaner, sustainable energy sources. The minister expressed optimism that the MoU would create jobs and support the country’s growing youth population, while also boosting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through enhanced economic activities.
REA’s Managing Director, Aliyu, affirmed the agency’s commitment to tracking the progress of this initiative, ensuring it contributes to job creation, GDP growth, and overall socio-economic development. The MCC’s Vice Chairman, Yan Zhezhu, also expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s cooperation and pledged continued support for the country’s energy development projects.
