The Enugu State Government has unveiled its ambitious plan to transform from an energy poor state to a thriving electricity market, with a target of generating over 690 megawatts of electricity and providing at least 20 hours of power supply per day by 2030.
With a focus on economic growth and positioning Enugu State as a leading industrial hub, the state government is taking urgent steps to enact the Enugu State Electricity Law. This move aims to capitalize on the forthcoming 2023 constitution amendment and the Electricity Act 2023, which will facilitate the establishment of a robust Enugu electricity market and ensure a reliable energy supply.
The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, expressed the state’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for energy players and investors to contribute to the state’s GDP growth. The goal is to increase the current GDP of $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
During a roundtable discussion organized by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), the Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia emphasized, “We have set out an ambitious economic growth plan, and integral to that plan is the electricity needs of Enugu State and the investors that will be coming into Enugu State.”
He further explained that the establishment of an Enugu State electricity market is crucial to attract private sector actors and ensure a reliable power supply, which, in turn, will catalyze economic growth. Enugu State aims to be one of the top three investment destinations in Nigeria, and a robust electricity market is essential to achieve this objective.
In line with sustainable development, a substantial portion of the electricity sector in Enugu State will be sourced from renewable energy and traditional power sources.
During a panel discussion on “Closing the Energy Access Gap through Sub-national Electricity Markets: Doing Things Differently,” Louisa Chinedu-Okeke, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Mbah on Policy and Project Management, highlighted the current electricity situation in Enugu State. She mentioned that the state currently lacks grid-connected generation assets and relies on just one electricity distribution company, which provides a mere 9% of electricity allocation from the national grid to serve a population of over five million people.
Chinedu-Okeke, however, assured that the Mbah administration has developed a comprehensive plan to transform Enugu State into a commercially viable electricity market, capable of generating over 690 megawatts of power and providing a 20-hour power supply by 2030.
