Mohammed Shosanya
The Federal Government has handed over the $1.3 billion Zungeru Power Plant to Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited.
Presenting certificate to MESL,Acting Director General of BPE, Ignatius Ayewoh,said under the concession agreement, the Federal Government was required to hand over the hydro power plant to the concessionaire not later than 10 business days from the date of payment of 50 per cent of the commencement fees following which the transition plan as set out in schedule shall apply.
“The Bureau is, therefore, pleased to inform you that upon the execution of the concession agreement, and within the 15 working days after the execution, the concessionaire has accordingly effected the payment of the first tranche 50 per cent of the commencement fee in the sum of N67.2 million on January 5, 2024 to the Federal Government,” he stated.
He noted that the conclusion of the concession remained a crucial step towards enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the power sector.
According to him, the choice of concession as a strategy would ease the repayment of the loan facility from the China Export Import Bank.
Managing Director of Mainstream, Audu Lamu, noted that the development would drastically reduce the current instability of the national grid.
He said the addition of 700MW clean energy remained critical for Nigeria as part of measures to deal with the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuel, adding that the development would take away the challenges associated with gas plants.
He disclosed that the company is increasing the capacity of Kainji Dam to 980 megawatts, as Jebba is currently about 578.4 megawatts, Kashimbilla at 40 megawatts and now Zungeru at 700MW.
He stated that the company would move into the plant today and would work with the Transmission Company of Nigeria to ensure that the project comes to the grid as soon as possible.
