The Federal Government yesterday hinted that the stalled Siemens deal between the Nigerian government and German counterpart was back on stream.
Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu gave the hint at the Maiden Annual Workshop of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN), Thursday in Abuja.
TheFact Nigeria gathered that the $2.3billion Siemens power project was stalled due to local content issue and others, but are now resolved.
The Minister noted that “one significant effort the Muhammad Buhari’s Administration has put in is the Siemens Nigeria and the Federal Government’s deal; this partnership seeks to expand Nigeria’s electricity capacity from the current 4,500MW to 25,000MW.
“The Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) which began in 2021 is in three phases and is estimated to be completed in 2025.
“This first phase which began in 2021 will go on for a period of 10 months with the end goal of pushing to 7,000MW.
“So far, there has been no hitch as the team is currently on the pre-engineering phase.
“The second phase will raise the availability to 1,000MW and the third phase will raise the availability to 25,000MW.
“Given Siemens AG’s accomplishment of a similar plan in Egypt and also, its reputation as an international giant in the power sector related engagements, it is strongly believed that the Nigeria Electricity Roadmap (NER)
is possible and achievable”, he said.
The Minister who said one of his cardinal goals, on assumption of office, was to reduce or totally eliminate the human factor issues limiting the growth of the sector, asserted that the government has initiated some transformational changes that would on the long run improve the quality of electricity in Nigeria and improve access.
“I can confidently tell you that with the efforts we have put in, and still putting in, we are at the dawn of a new era in the power sector in Nigeria”, he added.
Represented by the Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, he said, the administration was working tirelessly to increase the hydro and solar opportunities in the country.
“In line with the plan of integrating more renewable sources into our energy mix, Mambilla is planned to deliver 3,050MW, Kashimbila is planned to deliver 40MW, Dadinkowa is also planned to
deliver 40MW.
“Zungeru is planned to deliver another 700MW, and Katsina Wind farm is planed with 10MW. It is worthy to note that we are now going to make significant progress with the Mambilla Hydro plant as the issues encumbering the progress are being seriously looked into”, he said.
He said, the workshop’s theme: ‘Moving the Power Sector Beyond the Transition Electricity Market’ was carefully selected to expand the discussion on moving from absolute government controlled structure to a private sector driven competitive market.
“As a government, we will continue to create an enabling environment for private investors to thrive in the power sector. We understand that government can’t do it all, this is why we’ve opened the vista for more people to invest in the sector”, he said.
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