The first 175 MW unit of the 700 MW Zungeru hydropower project located in Niger State has commenced generation.
This record was achieved on 28th March 2022 as authorities have assured that the remaining units will be installed within the year 2022.
The US$1.3bn Zungeru hydropower project is being built by two Chinese state-owned companies, thus, China National Electrical Equipment Corporation (CNEEC) and Sinohydro Consortium, in a deal largely facilitated by the Exim Bank of China. The Exim Bank of China awarded a US$985m loan with preferential conditions for the project to Nigeria, supporting 75% of the cost of the project.
Construction started in 2013 and the project should produce 2.6 TWh/year of electricity. At completion, it will be the second biggest power plant in the country based on power generation.
This development comes after the intermittent grid collapse being experienced nationwide with a still pending evacuation and distribution of power to the end user.
