First unit of $1.29bn Zungeru hydropower plant to begin production next year—FG
Whereas there had been no sign of serious investor on the planned $5.2bn Mambila Power project, there are hopes that first unit of the $1.29bn Zungeru hydropower plant coming up in Niger State may begin power production to the national grip from 2020.
The Ministry of Power said the chances of the production from next year stemmed from the attainment of 68 per cent completion level this month.
Though the entire scheme is expected to be fully delivered in December 2021, the Minister of Power, Mr Sale Mamman, said during an inspection visit to the project site that “With the appreciable level of the work, the ministry will avail the contractors its maximum support in delivering the project within the time frame.”
He urged the contractors to stick to the contract specification to ensure quality work.
Earlier while conducting the minister round the project, the Project Consultant, Mr Tunde Adewunmi, gave an assurance that the project would be completed on schedule, assuring that there is no issue that might hinder its early completion.
The consultant further added that the project, “which has the capacity to add about 700 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, is being constructed by the leading hydroelectric power contractors in China and the power plant is potentially one of the best in the country.”
Adewunmi, who revealed that the power project is built for a life span of about 100 years, assured that Nigerians will observe a difference in power stability from next year when the first unit will begin production.
In the views of the Ministry, “The Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project, which is being financed by the China Exim Bank and the Nigerian government, is expected to compensate and relocate over 100 villages around the dam area.
“The Zungeru Reservoir, which is located immediately at the downstream of the Shiroro Reservoir, will become the second largest reservoir in Nigeria after Kanji Dam,” the Ministry noted.
