President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, flagged-off construction of the first phase of the 1,350MWs Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant (GIPP) in Abuja,
The first phase is expected to deliver 350Mws of the entire project.
Speaking at the official groundbreaking event, the President said part of his campaign promises was to use all available energy sources to increase power generation beyond the current installed capacity of 12,000mw.
He explained that the Joint Venture (JV) will have General Electric (GE), China Machinery and Engineering Corporation (CMEC), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on board.
Describing it as another important piece of national infrastructure, the president noted that the
He explained that the ground-breaking was highly significant to the nation, as it marked the first bold step in his administration’s effort to establish a strong and virile energy sector and deliver uninterrupted power to all Nigerians.
According to him, Nigeria cannot become a productive and industrialised economy, tackle poverty or create thousands of high-paying manufacturing jobs if it cannot generate, transmit and distribute reliable electricity.
“To accelerate our economic growth, we must remove every obstacle slowing our progress.
“That this project is taking off so early in the lifetime of this administration should serve as notice to the residents of Abuja and, indeed, to all Nigerians of our determination to bring positive change to this nation,” the president said.
Also, he said his administration would continue to vigorously pursue the implementation of other low-carbon energy solutions, such as solar, hydro, wind, thermal, and biofuels, for both on-grid and off-grid power systems.
“We will focus on rural electrification to improve the standard of living of people in rural communities and re-energise their socio-economic opportunities.
“Therefore, the investment of NNPC Ltd alongside its partners in the installation of additional 350mw will surely increase the energy supply level to Nigerian homes and businesses, catalyse economic empowerment, and, ultimately, renew the hope of our energetic and creative citizens,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, said the project is a giant step towards achieving the Company’s Gas & Power mandate to add 5GW into the National Power generation by 2024.
Currently, he said NNPC and partners are delivering about 80OOMW to the national grid from Afam VI and Okpai Phase 1 thermal power plants with a combined installed capacity of 1,0OMW.
” We have also completed Okpai Phase 2 project that will add up to 320MW of power to the national grid and progressing with other power plant projects across the coun including those along the AKK pipeline route ,” he added.
He explained that the Gwagwalada IPP is among the NNPC flagship projects along the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano corridor. Adding that this is part of the 3,600 cumulative power capacity, which includes Kaduna IPP (900MW) and Kano IPP (1,350MW).
“We know that expanding access to energy will change the game. It will create a better investment climate and promote balanced economic growth, a win-win situation for the Nation and for NNPC as a commercial energy company,” he said.