Nigeria’s Power Grid Needs Industries to Grow – Minister

• Minister Adelabu stated Nigeria’s grid needs industries to rely on it to expand, as industries are primary power consumers

• Adelabu said grid generation is the benchmark for development because it is the most reliable, despite over 25,000MW generated alternatively

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that Nigeria’s national grid cannot expand if industries continue to exit.

Speaking at the commissioning of training equipment and simulation infrastructure for capacity development in power distribution by the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Adelabu noted that industries are relying on embedded and captive power, which is expensive due to the grid’s unreliability.

He emphasized that for power capacity to increase from the current 5,000 megawatts to 30,000MW, industries must depend on the national grid, as they are the primary consumers.

“Until we attract industries and major institutions back to the grid, there won’t be a significant increase in our power generation. The more reliable we make grid power, the more users will return. How much power do households, offices, and institutions consume? We can electrify them all if we generate 10,000 to 12,000 megawatts today. To move grid generation to 20,000, 30,000, or even 40,000 megawatts, industries must return,” he said.

He also refuted claims that Nigeria generates an average of 6,000MW, explaining that industries and individuals produce over 25,000MW through solar and other alternative energy sources.

“We have a lot of captive power, which, if combined with grid generation and other renewable sources for rural electrification, may exceed 20,000 to 25,000 megawatts. However, the benchmark for development is grid generation, as it is the most reliable. This is why we must ensure our grid supply is stable, efficient, and dependable,” he added.

Adelabu highlighted that the newly commissioned project would help reduce electricity supply losses nationwide.

Meanwhile, NAPTIN Director General Ahmed Bolaji Nagode noted that the initiative would train 33 personnel from the 11 DisCos, aiding efforts to overcome challenges in the distribution subsector.