The Federal Government said it’s committed to achieving universal energy access by 2060, with a short-term target of attaining 30 gigawatts of grid energy supply by 2030.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this in a statement posted on the power ministry’s media platform.
Speaking at the China-Nigeria Economic Cooperation and Trade Conference in Beijing, China, Adelabu said, “In Nigeria, we are committed to achieving universal energy access by 2060, with a short-term target under our Vision 30:30:30 to attain 30GW of grid energy supply with a 30 per cent renewable energy mix by 2030, and a long-term goal of universal energy access.”
Adelabu emphasised that these targets present an opportunity for further partnership between the Chinese investment community and the Federal Republic of Nigeria to increase the penetration of cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.
“To achieve this objective, the Federal Government of Nigeria has implemented a multi-pronged approach designed to tackle issues across the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry value chain and set the sector on a path to recovery and prosperity,” he said.
The minister outlined measures put in place to achieve these targets, including streamlining legislative and policy processes, leveraging public and private funds, embracing technology and innovation, and fostering strategic partnerships.
Adelabu added, “I believe this Nigeria-China Economic Forum presents a great opportunity for us to firm up our existing areas of collaboration and explore additional opportunities for shared prosperity.”
In another development, data obtained from the ministry shows that between January and August 2024, vandals destroyed 63 power transmission towers across the country with the greater damage taking place in the northern regions.
The destruction included the complete collapse of 17 towers, while components such as conductors, underground cables, and braces from the remaining towers were stolen. This extensive damage has significantly impacted the electricity supply in the affected areas, as noted by officials from the Transmission Company of Nigeria, which manages the nation’s power grid.
Among the notable incidents, Tower 388 on the 132kV Jos-Bauchi line in Bauchi/Yelwa and Gwalameji collapsed, as were Towers 377 and 378 on the 330kV Gombe-Damaturu line along Bauchi/Gombe and Damaturu. Additional collapses were reported on the 330kV Damaturu-Maiduguri line, including Towers 125, 126, 193, 194, and 195.
In the Bauchi-Gombe area, 450, 452, 453, and 455 on the 132kV line were vandalised, and Tower 70 on the 330kV Gwagwalada-Katampe line in Abuja saw four of its footings destroyed. Other targeted areas included Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, and Benin, with multiple towers damaged or destroyed in these regions.
