Nigeria’s power sector has achieved a significant milestone with a record generation of 5,105 megawatts of electricity on July 27, 2024, the highest output in three years.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this announcement during the first meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Power Sector Working Group in Abuja on Wednesday.
He highlighted this achievement as a notable improvement from the previous output levels of around 4,000 megawatts.
“Our goal is to reach 6,000 megawatts by December,” Adelabu stated, reflecting on the progress made and the targets set for the sector.
At the meeting, government officials underscored the importance of cross-ministry collaboration to harness the full potential of the power sector. They stressed its role in fueling economic growth and supporting industrialisation in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision.
Adelabu emphasized that achieving these goals requires cooperation beyond the Ministry of Power. “Power generation is not solely the responsibility of the Ministry of Power. We need support from various ministries to fulfill our mandate,” he noted.
The power ministry is actively collaborating with the Ministries of Environment, Water Resources and Sanitation, Budget and Planning, and Petroleum Resources, including the Minister of State (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, echoed this collaborative spirit, describing the partnership between his ministry and the Ministry of Power as essential for advancing the President’s renewable energy agenda.
Adelabu also addressed the importance of sustainable energy solutions, highlighting the focus on renewable sources such as solar, wind, and small dams. “Our approach is to ensure that power generation is both sustainable and environmentally friendly,” he said.
Iziaq Salako, representing the Minister of Environment, emphasized managing the environmental impact and waste associated with power generation.
The working group will focus on improving power sector liquidity, refining governance structures for electricity distribution companies, and advancing the energy transition program to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.
These collaborative efforts aim to enhance power generation and distribution while ensuring widespread benefits for households, businesses, and industries across Nigeria.
