Nigerian power generation, which has recently nosedived due to a number of factors, is rising again. It now stands at 3800 MW and will hit 4000 MW by the end of the first quarter of this year as some plants under the National Independent Power Plants (NIPPs) scheme come on stream.
The power stations being test-run currently are Alaoji, Sapele and Olorunsogo, which will add 188 MW to the national grid, according to the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Nuhu Wya. This is only the first phase of generation from the plants, which have significant capacity to add to the national grid. The transmission station in Kwara State has also gone live.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Federal Executive Council (FEC) has suspended further awards of contracts under the 2010 Budget and would not accept power contract memos from its next meeting.