Federal Government To Inject 1,900MW Solar Power Into Grid
The Federal Government has announced plans to construct modular solar power plants with a combined capacity of 1,900 megawatts for the 19 northern states, as part of efforts to boost renewable energy adoption and expand the national grid. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this announcement during the sixth edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series held on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Adelabu, each solar-powered station will produce approximately 100MW of electricity, enabling states to become more energy-independent and reducing reliance on the national grid. The government is also pursuing private investment to help expand the grid and improve generation.
The minister emphasized that with Nigeria’s abundant sunshine, there is no reason the country cannot achieve utility-scale solar power generation. He stated that two companies, Sun Africa Energy and Skipper Electric, have expressed interest in investing in Nigeria’s power sector, emphasizing renewable generation and grid expansion.
Sun Africa Energy intends to bring in about 1,000MW of solar energy to complement the efforts of Niger Delta Power Holding Company at their various locations. Skipper Energy, on the other hand, plans to construct modular solar power plants in the 19 states of the northern part of Nigeria, about 100MW each, so that each state will be independent and the independence of the national grid will be reduced.
Adelabu described the government’s target to generate and distribute about 8,000MW of electricity before the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term in office in 2027 as realistic. He noted that power generation has already improved by about 40 per cent since the current administration took office, with average daily generation rising from 4,100MW in Q3 2023 to 5,700MW in the last quarter of 2025, peaking at 5,800MW.
The minister credited the recent progress to President Tinubu’s support and expressed confidence that, if current momentum continues, the country could reach 8,000MW by 2027. He also highlighted the need for private sector investment to help expand the grid and improve generation, stating that the government is looking to the private sector to secure financing for the construction of new transmission lines, substations, and the installation of additional transformers.
Adelabu noted that the national grid has been stronger in Tinubu’s administration, with the Transmission Company of Nigeria strengthening the critical network by commissioning 61 new transformers. He added that the government has received various offers from private investors and is looking to expand the national grid.
The minister also announced that around 150 million Nigerians now have access to adequate electricity, while an estimated 80 million still lack a reliable power supply. He emphasized the need to ensure that those who have access enjoy consistent and affordable power.
Another remarkable initiative announced during the briefing is the progress made towards regionalising the national grid, adding supergrid eastern and western supergrid approvals currently in progress, which will revolutionise the national grid and reduce failures. The minister added that Nigeria needs regionalisation of the national grid so that if there is a problem in one part of the country, it will not affect other parts.
On the previously abandoned Kaduna Power Plant, Adelabu said that the facility is being revamped, now 87 per cent complete, and is expected to become operational by the end of 2025. The 215MW facility constructed by the Federal Ministry of Power had been abandoned for six years before the current administration intervened.
The power plant contract, awarded in November 2009 to General Electric and Rockson Engineering for a dual thermal plant running on Low Pour Fuel Oil and natural gas, was originally scheduled for completion by December 31, 2013. Adelabu emphasised that his inspection of the project led to securing President Bola Tinubu’s approval for its completion.
In conclusion, the Federal Government’s plan to inject 1,900MW solar power into the grid is a significant step towards promoting renewable energy adoption and expanding the national grid. With the government’s commitment to generating and distributing about 8,000MW of electricity by 2027, the future of Nigeria’s power sector looks bright. The partnership with private investors and the regionalisation of the national grid will also help to improve power supply and reduce reliance on the national grid.
The government’s efforts to revamp the Kaduna Power Plant and complete other unfinished projects will also contribute to improving power supply in the country. With the current momentum, it is expected that Nigeria’s power sector will experience significant growth and development in the coming years.
Overall, the Federal Government’s initiatives in the power sector are expected to have a positive impact on the economy and the lives of Nigerians. The increased access to electricity will enable businesses to thrive, create jobs, and improve the overall standard of living. With the government’s commitment to renewable energy and grid expansion, Nigeria is poised to become a leader in the power sector in Africa.
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