Adelabu: Zungeru Power Plant Enters Testing Phase

The federal government has announced that the Zungeru hydropower plant, generating 700 megawatts, has entered the testing phase before its electricity is evacuated for integration into the national grid.

Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, revealed this information while addressing inquiries from the industry, as outlined in a document issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji.

Reportedly, the Zungeru power complex situated along the upper and middle stretches of the Kaduna River in Niger State is purportedly Nigeria’s biggest hydroelectric undertaking.

The plant is projected to produce 2.64 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity yearly, constituting about 10% of Nigeria’s domestic energy usage. Adelabu addressed inquiries regarding the $1.3 billion project, stating it’s connected to the national grid in Niger State, refuting claims suggesting otherwise. He confirmed the project’s completion and conclusion of the concession process.

“The payments by the concessionaire have been made and the official handing over of this plant has been done to the concessionaire, which is Mainstream Energy Limited, who are the current operators of Kainji and Jabba hydroelectric power plants,” he said.

“The stage we are now in is technical handing over by the Chinese consultants that built the Zungeru hydroelectric power plant to the concessionaire.

“This is because there is a one-year defect liability, where these contractors need to be on the project site to ensure that whatever problem occurs within one year, they can fix it.

“They are working earnestly with the concessionaire and the ministry of power, together with the Bureau for Public Enterprise to ensure that we conclude the technical handover of the plant.

“I can tell you that the testing stage started yesterday, that the power generation at the plant started yesterday, and that it will last about one or two weeks, after which total production will start. And I can tell you with good authority that the Zungeru power plant can evacuate power.

“Therefore, it is complete disinformation to say it is not connected to the national grid.”

On February 23, 2023, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) endorsed Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) as the selected bidder for the concession of the Zungeru power plant.

Mainstream Energy Solutions was one of three prequalified companies for the deal, alongside Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited Consortium (APPNLC) and North-South Power Consortium (NSP).

On February 21, the federal government officially handed over the operations of the power plant to Penstock Limited, a subsidiary of MESL.

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