In a strategic partnership with the World Bank, the Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled ambitious plans under its Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project for Nigeria (SPIN), aiming to achieve a target of 10,000 megawatts (MW).
The announcement was made by Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, during the African High-Level Roundtable on Sustainable Hydropower in the African Renewable Energy Mix of the 21st Century held in Abuja.
Adelabu said: ”The primary objective of SPIN is to enhance the utilization of existing storage for irrigation and hydropower generation while reinforcing institutional frameworks for integrated water resources management across Nigeria.
”Additionally, the project aims to tap into the country’s vast hydroelectric potential, which has remained largely untapped.”
The minister stated that SPIN seeks to unlock an additional 10GW combined capacity from various sources, including existing dams with provisions for hydropower, partially incomplete dams, greenfield projects, and multipurpose dams that can be modified or retrofitted.
While emphasizing the immense potential for hydropower development in Africa, Adelabu stressed the importance of responsible development, considering environmental concerns and social impacts on local communities.
He emphasized the need for sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and innovative financing solutions to support large-scale projects in the region.
Nigeria, as Adelabu noted, has already made significant strides in hydropower development, with projects such as the Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro, Mabon, Zungeru, and Kashimbila hydropower plants contributing substantially to the energy supply mix.
However, he stressed that despite these achievements, ”Nigeria has only explored a fraction of its estimated 14GW hydroelectric potential, indicating vast untapped opportunities.”
”In alignment with the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan, the Federal Government is committed to achieving sustainable energy access targets by 2030, with a focus on generating 30 per cent of electricity from renewable sources.
”This commitment also extends to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions by cutting emissions by 20 per cent by 2030 and ensuring universal access to affordable electricity,” he added.
Adelabu expressed optimism about the High-Level Roundtable on Sustainable Hydropower, organized by the African Development Bank, emphasizing the collective efforts of African nations to harness hydropower for clean and sustainable energy futures.
He highlighted the pivotal role of hydropower in closing the energy access gap and addressing climate change challenges on the continent.
He reiterated Africa’s vast potential in hydropower development and the need for responsible and sustainable approaches to harnessing this valuable resource.
Recall that Adelabu recently expressed concern about Nigeria’s suboptimal performance of all 10 Independent Power Plants (IPPs), revealing that they operate at less than 15 per cent capacity.
During the electricity and energy access session at the Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja, the minister acknowledged the challenges faced in the power sector.
He lamented that the inadequate power supply was hindering citizens from enjoying a good quality of life.
