Nigeria hits record 4,477.7 megawatts

Nigeria’s electricity production has hit a record peak of 4,477.7 megawatts, according to Professor Bart Nnaji, the power minister.

In a statement today, Nnaji said this new peak exceeds the record level of 4,237MW achieved early this month by 240.7mw.

“This is another record level to be attained in power generation in Nigeria. The good news is that every power generated is wheeled comfortably”, he said.

In August 2010, when 3,800 MW was generated for the first time, the system collapsed within few minutes because the transmission infrastructure was poorly maintained.

The new output increase came from the 600MW Shiroro Hydro Station in Niger State. In addition, the Nigerian Gas Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), has been increasing gas supply to power stations in accordance with the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

“The quantum of power available to Nigerians would increase further before the month runs out. Also one unit of 112.5MW at the Omotosho Plant of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in Ondo State would start to run this month”, added the professor.