FG: $1.2bn Zungeru Hydro Electric Power Project Ready for Inauguration Q1 2023
Laleye Dipo in Minna
The federal government has said that the new Zungeru Hydro Electric Power Project being constructed in Niger State at $1.2 billion will be ready for inauguration by the first quarter (Q1) of 2023.
The Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, said on completion of the project, it will generate 700 megawatts of electricity.
Aliyu, who inspected the extent of work done so far on the project Thursday, according to a statement in Minna by the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, said three of the turbines have been installed.
According to the statement, each of the three turbines already installed can generate 175 megawatts of electricity.
The minister was said to have expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment exhibited by the contractors, maintaining that the completion of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project would add 700 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
Aliyu was also quoted as saying that the Zungeru Power Project is part of federal government’s strategies to reposition power generation in phases in the country.
The statement said the SSG, Matane, who accompanied the minister to Zungeru for the inspection, said the state government has demonstrated “a high level of commitment to the implementation of the project because apart from electricity generation, it has abundant agricultural potential for the host communities to harness”.
The Project Manager, Mr. Abiy Getahun,
said challenges of COVID-19 and insecurity hindered the smooth running and early completion of the project.
The minister also inspected the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Switch Yard at Gusase a distance of about 30 Kilometres from the plant.
The Zungeru Dam is the first in the country constructed using the Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) innovative design technology with the main benefit being a reduction in the overall construction period and embankment footprint when compared to a typical gravity dam.
