The Honourable Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has made a bold commitment to significantly enhance Nigeria’s electricity supply by adding 150 megawatts (MW) to the national grid by the end of 2024. This announcement comes in the wake of growing concerns over the persistent power grid instability, with the country having experienced 12 major grid collapses this year alone.
In a press briefing held at the Ministry of Power's headquarters, Adelabu assured Nigerians that the government is working diligently to address the energy crisis. He emphasized that the 150MW increase would be a critical step towards stabilizing the national grid and ensuring a more reliable power supply for households and industries.
“We are fully aware of the challenges facing the power sector, particularly the recurrent collapses of the national grid. It is unacceptable that Nigerians continue to suffer from power outages, and we are taking decisive steps to rectify this situation,” Minister Adelabu stated. “The 150MW addition will help alleviate some of the pressure on the grid and is part of our broader strategy to improve infrastructure, reduce energy loss, and attract private investments in power generation.”
The national grid has faced repeated collapses this year, with significant economic and social impacts, affecting businesses, public services, and everyday life. These breakdowns have been attributed to a combination of aging infrastructure, insufficient investment, and operational challenges within the sector. The Minister’s pledge comes as part of the government’s efforts to modernize the power sector and implement solutions that address both immediate and long-term energy needs.
The Ministry of Power is already in discussions with various stakeholders, including independent power producers and renewable energy investors, to ensure the successful integration of the additional 150MW into the grid. A key aspect of the plan is strengthening the transmission network to reduce grid vulnerability and prevent future collapses.