ELECTRICITY
Electricity Page
Bulk Trader, 12 firms sign pact for 975mw solar projects
…attracts $2bn forex, works begin 2017
By Simon Echewofun Sunday
The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) yesterday signed pacts with 12 firms who would construct solar power plants in eight states and generate a cumulative 975megawatts (mw) into the electricity grid.
Speaking after the signing the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in Abuja, the acting Managing Director, Mr Waziri Bintube said the massive solar investment is a revolution on diversifying the energy mix due to the present constraints on gas supply to the thermal stations.
He said Nigeria’s electricity supply presently relies on 86 per cent gas-fired plants and 14 per cent hydropower without any solar input. Mr. Waziri said 10 of the firms have foreign developers who are willing to bring in about $2million to $2.5billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the economy.
Explaining the value of the PPA, the NBET boss said it is the document that guarantees off takers to gather finance and invest in the projects as they have assurance that the power produced will be bought over by the Federal Government boosted by the World Bank’s Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) assurance.
NBET said with the PPAs handy, the firms expect an approval from the regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and proceed for a financial close within 12 months when they will flag off site works.
Construction of the plants to be sited in Enugu, FCT, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Bauchi and Plateau states is expected to happen within 12 to 18 months after their financial close by year ending. The power generated on completion will be evacuated into the national grid through the substations to be built at some of the sites, the investors said.
The Bulk Trader acting as intermediaries between Generation companies (Gencos) and Distribution companies (Discos) said the generated electricity will be fed first into the Disco where the plants are sited and that would boost supply across four Discos comprising Jos, Kano, Enugu, and Abuja.
One of the firms, Nigeria Solar Capital Partners said it is doing 135megawatts (mw) plant in Ganjuwa LGA of Bauchi state valued at $200million. The Managing Director, Joel Abrams said the 15-month project will create 1,000 jobs in the state when the site work starts before June 2017.
AfriNigeria, another firm doing 50mw in Garaku town of Nasarawa state said the on-grid project will cost $100million.The plant will be operational in 18 months after its financial close, the Chairman, Mr. Bestman Uwadia said.
Sahara Power to invest more in building capacity
From Mohammed Shosanya, Lagos
Sahara Power has restated its commitment to continue investments in human capital development to ensure enhanced productivity and skills transfer.
The Managing Director, Kola Adesina, said positive outcomes from the firm’s Graduate Engineering Programme (GEP) has set the foundation for increased funding to drive capacity building initiatives.
Speaking at a session tagged, “Human Capital Development in Nigeria’s Power Sector” in Lagos, Adesina noted that the programme would help address the gulf created by ageing workforce in the sector.
A report from the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) say the dearth of young engineers and technical staff remains a huge challenge for the sector that needs about 50,000 young skilled engineers, craftsmen and fitters to replace the ageing workforce.
The GEP currently has 100 young graduate engineers in Egbin Power and two other of its plants; they were trained by seasoned Nigerian and foreign professionals under the scheme through local and overseas exchange programmes, the firm said.
TCN MD, Kast assures of improved power supply
By Simon Echewofun Sunday
The Managing Director of Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Mr. Mack Kast, has expressed hope that power supply in the nation would soon improve.
Mr. Kast who spoke during the launch of a book on communication in Abuja recently acknowledged the current poor power supply arising from rampant vandalism of gas pipelines.
He said: “Be assured that all stake-holders are working tirelessly to reverse the current situation so that we can return to winning ways again with uninterrupted power supply.”
He commended the author of the book, Mr. Clement Ezeolisah describing him as diligent and development oriented.
The author, Mr Ezeolisah said his motivation stemmed from the desire to bridge the existing gaps in communication activities so people would be more disposed to doing it effectively and efficiently.
