700 megawatts Zungeru power plant starts testing

The Federal Government announced on Sunday that testing has commenced at the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has a capacity of 700 megawatts, in preparation for its integration into the national grid for electricity distribution.

Contrary to previous claims suggesting otherwise, the government stated that the $1.3 billion project, situated in Niger State, has been successfully linked to the national grid.

Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, addressed industry inquiries through a document released by his Special Adviser, Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, in Abuja on Sunday. Adelabu highlighted that the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant, located near Zungeru town in Niger State along the Kaduna River, is poised to generate 2.64 billion kilowatts-hour of electricity annually, meeting approximately 10 percent of Nigeria’s domestic energy requirements.

The Minister emphasized that the project, executed by a consortium of Chinese firms including Sinohydro Corporation Limited and China National Electric Engineering Company, not only generates electricity but also provides flood control, irrigation water, and fish breeding facilities.

Industry analysts anticipate that the completion of the project will significantly bolster Nigeria’s power generation capacity and contribute to regional economic development.

Adelabu clarified that the construction and concession processes have been finalized, with Mainstream Energy Limited, operators of Kainji and Jabba hydroelectric power plants, assuming control of the facility. He mentioned ongoing technical handover procedures from the Chinese consultants to the concessionaire, with a one-year defect liability period to address any issues.

The Minister affirmed that the testing phase commenced on Saturday, including power generation, and is anticipated to last one to two weeks before full-scale production begins.