Epileptic solar shocker: FG 1,900MW solar power gamble on renewable energy

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to build modular solar power plants across the 19 northern states.

Each solar power plant will generate 100 megawatts of electricity, totaling 1,900MW across the entire northern region.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Abuja on Thursday 17th April.

Adelabu said the move aims to boost renewable energy and strengthen Nigeria’s national electricity grid.

According to him, the initiative will reduce overdependence on the national grid and encourage regional energy independence.

He noted that Nigeria’s vast sunlight potential must be harnessed for sustainable energy growth.

The minister said the government is targeting 8,000MW electricity generation by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term.

He added that solar power will be a significant contributor to achieving this electricity generation target.

He revealed that Sun Africa and Skipper Energy are major private investors supporting solar development in Nigeria.

Sun Africa plans to deliver 1,000MW of solar energy directly into the national grid.

Skipper Energy will construct modular solar plants of 100MW each in the 19 northern states.

The initiative comes after severe vandalism crippled electricity supply across the north in late 2023.

Vandals had destroyed the Shiroro-Kaduna 330kV line and another line servicing the northeast.

This incident caused a month-long blackout in 17 northern states.

Following the blackout, northern governors demanded energy diversification to prevent future power crises.

Adelabu emphasised the role of private sector investment in strengthening the national electricity infrastructure.

He noted that government alone cannot fund national grid expansion due to budgetary competition.

The national grid, he said, remains entirely government-owned but now welcomes private funding for upgrades.

Adelabu explained that Nigeria’s power generation grew from 4,100MW to 5,800MW in under a year.

He said if previous governments added 1,000MW annually, Nigeria would now generate over 30,000MW.

The minister commended President Tinubu’s support for recent progress in the power sector.

He stressed that the 8,000MW target is achievable if the current momentum is maintained.

Adelabu disclosed that 61 new transformers were installed by TCN to boost transmission capacity.

Nine additional transformers were installed in Q1 2025 across Lagos, Kano, Benin, Bauchi and others.

These upgrades, he said, helped the grid carry up to 5,800MW without collapsing.

The current grid capacity now supports up to 8,700MW, thanks to TCN and FGN Power Company.

Adelabu announced that 150 million Nigerians now have access to electricity.

However, 80 million Nigerians still lack reliable electricity, especially in rural and remote areas.

He identified affordability and consistency as key issues affecting reliable power access nationwide.

The minister added that efforts are ongoing to regionalise the national grid for better efficiency.

Regionalisation will ensure that grid issues in one zone do not affect other regions.

The Eastern and Western supergrid components have already received preliminary approval.

He announced revival efforts on the abandoned Kaduna Power Plant, now 87 per cent completed.

The 215MW Kaduna facility was left unattended for six years until the current administration’s intervention.

President Tinubu has approved funds to ensure its completion before the end of 2025.

The plant was originally awarded to GE and Rockson in 2009 but abandoned for over a decade.

Adelabu assured Nigerians that the plant will begin operation before December 2025.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable, renewable and reliable electricity nationwide.

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