The data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) highlights a significant improvement in Nigeria's electricity generation landscape as of December 2024. The average generation from 28 grid-connected electricity generation plants reached 5,237 megawatts (MW), a notable increase from the long-standing average of around 4,000 MW. This improvement can be attributed in part to the integration of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant into the national grid on May 3, 2024, which added 624 MW to the overall power supply.
The operational performance data released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reveals significant challenges in the power generation sector, particularly regarding the availability and output of power plants. Here are the key points from the report:
Despite this increase in generation capacity, the report indicates a persistent gap between installed capacity and actual performance, with an average hourly available capacity of 4,524 megawatt-hours per hour (MWh/h) during the review period. This discrepancy underscores ongoing challenges in the power sector, including issues related to infrastructure, maintenance, and distribution.
The addition of the Zungeru Power Plant has been particularly beneficial for Nigeria's industrial sector, which has been experiencing growing demand for reliable electricity. The overall boost in national grid capacity to over 5,000 MW is expected to enhance electricity supply across the country, supporting economic activities and improving the quality of life for citizens.
In summary, while the integration of new power generation facilities like Zungeru represents a positive step forward for Nigeria's energy sector, addressing the gap between available capacity and actual generation remains crucial for achieving sustainable and reliable electricity supply.
The Zungeru hydropower plant, with a $1.3 billion investment, aims to generate 2.64 billion kWh of electricity annually, fulfilling about 10% of Nigeria's energy requirements. This project is expected to enhance economic growth and increase energy accessibility in the surrounding area.
Project Overview
The Zungeru hydropower project is a 700 MW facility located on the Kaduna River in Niger State, Nigeria.
It is the largest hydropower project currently under construction in Nigeria and one of the most significant in Africa, benefiting from a preferential loan from the Export-Import Bank of China.
Key Benefits
Energy Generation: Expected to produce 2.64 billion kWh of electricity annually, addressing nearly 10% of Nigeria's total energy needs.
Flood Control and Irrigation: The project will provide essential flood control measures and support irrigation efforts in the region.
Employment Opportunities: More than 2,000 jobs are anticipated during the peak construction phase, contributing to local economic development.
Technical Specifications
The facility will feature four 175 MW hydroelectric turbines, making it a major contributor to Nigeria's renewable energy landscape.
The construction includes a roller-concrete compacted dam, an underground powerhouse, and necessary infrastructure such as power transmission lines and access roads.
Strategic Importance
The Zungeru project is crucial for Nigeria's energy transition, leveraging the country's vast water resources to enhance sustainable power generation.
It aligns with the government's goals to expand generation capacity and improve the reliability of the national power grid.
Overall Availability: The 28 power plants collectively achieved only a 38% availability factor, which is notably low given their total installed capacity of 13,625 MW. This indicates that many plants are not operating at their full potential.
Contribution of Larger Plants: Larger power plants, including Egbin ST, Delta GS, Kainji, Shell’s Afam VI, Zungeru, Odukpani, Shiroro, Jebba, Okpai, Azura IPP, and Geregu, were responsible for a significant portion of the energy generated. They contributed an average of 3,974 MW, which accounted for 75% of the total energy output in December.
Top Performers: Among the larger plants, Egbin ST and Kainji were the highest producers, with average outputs of 671 MW and 505 MW, respectively. Jebba followed closely with an average output of 454 MW.
Performance of Smaller Plants: Smaller power plants, including Afam I-V, Sapele ST, Olorunsogo NIPP, Omotosho NIPP, and others, generated a combined average of 1,261 MW, representing 25% of the total energy output.
Underperformance Issues: Several plants underperformed significantly. For example, Ibom Power and Trans Amadi produced only 15 MW and 3 MW on average, respectively. Alaoji NIPP did not generate any power during the reporting period, despite having an installed capacity of 500 MW.
This data highlights the disparity in performance between larger and smaller power plants, as well as the critical need for improvements in operational efficiency and reliability within the Nigerian power sector. The low availability factor and underperformance of certain plants suggest that there are systemic issues that need to be addressed to enhance overall power generation capacity and reliability.
.jpg)
0 Comments