NIGERIA – Nigera’s Energy sector is set to receive a boost after the 300MW renewable power plant funded by the United Arab Emirates was completed in October this year.

UAE’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq, revealed the project’s completion in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit on the Minister of Power, Sale Mamman.

Al Taffaq informed the minister that the 300MW plant was ready for operation in Lagos and would support power being supplied by the national grid.

He said the plant, which was built by a member of the emirate royal family, Ahmed Al-maktum, has the capacity for expansion within a few months to about 1,000MW

According to Al Taffaq, the power project was part of the United Arab Emirates investments in Nigeria.

The ambassador, however, requested for the assistance of the minister in securing a generation licence and tariff from the Lagos state government.

Al Taffaq further revealed that the company had concluded all agreements with Shell for the supply of gas to the plant.

He also informed the minister of the interest of the UAE to invest in electricity transmission and distribution network across Nigeria.

The power minister responded to UAE’s requests by saying that the Federal Government was open to genuine investors, especially in the power sector.

Mamman assured his guests that the Federal Ministry of Power would collaborate with the UAE in its areas of investments in Nigeria.

Despite having vast reserves of oil and other sources of energy, Nigeria still lags behind when it comes to universal access to electricity.

It is estimated that at least 55 percent of all Nigeria’s households do not have electricity. It is even surprising to find out that Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city and economic does not have reliable access to energy.

Frequent blackouts are common with some regions having to depend on diesel powered generators for power.

The UAE funded power plant will thus boost the city’s energy sector and possibly contribute towards the realization of universal access to reliable energy in the city.