The Federal Government, through the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the persistent issue of grid collapses in Nigeria.
In 2024 alone, Nigeria recorded 12 grid collapses, leaving many communities in darkness.
However, Adelabu has announced plans to construct 24 new substations under the second phase of the Siemens power project to boost grid stability.
Speaking via a statement issued in Abuja by Bolaji Tunji, his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, the minister highlighted that the pilot phase of the Siemens project is nearing completion, with 95% of work already done.
He confirmed that eight power transformers and five mobile substations have been installed across 11 states, including Okene (Kogi), Amukpe (Delta), Ihovbor (Edo), Apo (Abuja), Maryland (Lagos), Potiskum (Yobe), Ajah (Lagos), Birnin Kebbi (Kebbi), Jebba (Niger), Kwanar-dangora (Kano), UI (Oyo), and Sapade (Ogun).
Adelabu stated, “On the issue of incessant grid collapse, efforts are continuing to tackle the problems. It is a known fact that over the years, the infrastructure has been neglected and allowed to decay to a state of dilapidation. These are being gradually tackled. The Siemens project is one of the ways of addressing this.”
He further explained, “The pilot stage of the Siemens project was to ensure the installation of 10 power transformers and the mobile substations across the country and so far, is about 95 per cent completion.”
“So far, we have installed eight power transformers and five mobile substations in the following states: Okene, Kogi; Amukpe, Delta; Ihovbor, Edo; Apo, Abuja; Maryland, Lagos; Potiskum, Yobe; Ajah, Lagos; Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi; Jebba, Niger; Kwanar-dangora, Kano; UI, Oyo; Sapade, Ogun.”
The minister also disclosed that the second phase of the Siemens project would include constructing 14 brownfield substations and 20 greenfield substations.
“The agreement has already been signed for the construction of five substations starting in Q1. This will further strengthen the grid capacity and reduce instances of grid collapse. Not only that, the SCADA project is still ongoing,” he said.
Adelabu noted that the administration inherited a generation capacity of around 4,000 megawatts. Since then, over 1,000 megawatts have been added to the grid, reaching a three-year high of 5,528 megawatts.
