The Federal Government of Nogeria, together with African Development Bank (AfDB) and other development stakeholders, collaborate in an effort to accelerate hydropower development across the country.
Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Muhammad Goronyo, emphasized the benefits of hydropwer in Abuja yesterday, during the World Hydropower Outlook Summit, with the theme, ‘Advancing Sustainable Growth, Hydropower Africa’. Potentials to drive economic expansion, improve electricity accessibility and foster social progress throughout Africa, were part of the benefits he mentioned.
He also emphasised the pivotal role of dependable energy in spurring industrialization and economic development, reaffirming the government’s commitment to optimising efficiency in electricity generation, transmission and distribution through the effective operation of hydropower infrastructure across Nigeria. He revealed the identification of hydropower sites capable of generating approximately 14,000 megawatts of electricity.
Goronyo further reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to enhanced power generation capacity through the concession of key hydropower dams such as Gurara, Kashimbilla and Dadin-Kowa, Goronyo emphasised the importance of conducting thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) stakeholders meaningfully to address the potential ecological and social issues of hydropower projects .
He urged Africa to leverage hydropower opportunities while prioritising energy security and environmental sustainability.
While Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, highlighted Tinubu’s significant strides in empowering the power sector through the enactment of the Electricity Act of 2023.
“This legislation, shifting power control to the Concurrent List, lays the groundwork for Nigeria to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 through the National Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan.” Adelabu stated.
He said that the government is committed, to achieving sustainable energy for all by 2030, aiming to provide 30 gigawatts of electricity, with 30 per cent sourced from renewable energy, including hydro, solar and wind.
The power minister, mentioned Nigeria’s collaboration with the World Bank on the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN), which “seeks to optimise existing water storage for both irrigation and hydropower generation,” as stated by Director of Information and Public Relations of the ministry, Funmi Imuetinyan.
