By Augustine Ehikioya
Towards addressing liquidity crisis and improve electricity supply in the country, the Federal Government has paid N1.2 trillion out of the N2.3 trillion debt owed to operators in the power sector.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, on Wednesday while briefing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
According to him, the payment was part of broader measures to ease liquidity constraints in electricity sector, particularly those affecting gas supply to generation companies, Gencos.
He said government was also stepping up efforts to stabilise national grid, expand transmission capacity and improve delivery to consumers.
As part of initiative, ministry has commenced technical audit of power infrastructure nationwide to identify ageing facilities requiring urgent upgrade.
The minister said country has been divided into three major energy zones to guide targeted interventions, noting that Lagos and environs account for about 50 per cent of national electricity demand. Other zones cover Abuja, Kano and other areas needing transmission improvement.
Tegbe disclosed that the government plans to expand transmission capacity from about 5,000 megawatts to more than 19,000 megawatts to accommodate generation capacity put at over 13,000 megawatts.
FEC, he said, approved three projects to strengthen national transmission network: Upgrade of Katampe transmission substation, key facility serving North-Central region; Design and manufacture of three 300MVA transformers for Egbin transmission substation serving Lagos axis and reconstruction of 35.6km transmission line along Shagamu axis from single-circuit to double-circuit
According to him, projects are expected to improve grid capacity, stability and resilience.
On alternative power sources, Tegbe said 14 federal universities have been equipped with solar mini-grids of one to five megawatts capacity, while another 11 institutions received funding through TETFund.
He said initiative covers nearly 30 institutions, adding University of Abuja’s solar mini-grid was commissioned about three weeks ago, with similar projects planned for other universities.
Government has also completed and energised solar mini-grid projects in five teaching hospitals in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health to provide more reliable electricity to critical public institutions and reduce dependence on national grid.
Tegbe further disclosed government has begun efforts to clear over 300 containers of power equipment stranded at nation’s ports, saying President Tinubu directed ministry to work with Nigerian Ports Authority and Customs Service to facilitate clearance and deployment.
He announced construction has commenced on new National Control Centre in Osogbo, Osun State, to replace existing facility built 64 years ago, with modern technology to strengthen grid monitoring and management.
The minister said government will sustain efforts to settle outstanding debts, upgrade transmission infrastructure and expand alternative energy projects to improve electricity supply across country.
