Nigeria’s power generation surged to a three-year high of 5,313 megawatts on Monday, according to the Federal Ministry of Power.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, urged electricity distribution companies (Discos) to distribute the additional energy to prevent grid instability.
However, a Disco official mentioned challenges in absorbing the extra power due to tariff issues on non-Band A customers, which is causing operational losses.
In a related development, the Federal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China’s Mutual Commitment Company Limited to assemble electric tricycles and establish a renewable energy training center in Nigeria.
The MoU, facilitated by the Rural Electrification Agency, is part of the government’s broader strategy to expand energy access, particularly in rural areas, and transition to cleaner energy sources.
Minister Adelabu emphasized the importance of this initiative, aligning it with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and highlighted its potential to create jobs and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on centralized power generation.
The partnership with China is expected to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s goal of increasing its electrification rate, which currently stands at 62%, far below the achievements of other African nations.
The distributed energy model, particularly through renewable sources, is seen as a key to improving energy access across Nigeria and boosting economic activities, especially in rural areas.
(Punch)