The Federal Authorities has accepted two main vitality initiatives in Oyo State aimed toward fortifying the nationwide grid and addressing persistent energy challenges.
An announcement by the media aide to the Minister of Energy, Bolaji Tunji, disclosed that the choices, ratified throughout Monday’s Federal Government Council assembly, embody reviving and concessioning the decades-old Ikere Gorge Hydropower Plant and developing a high-capacity new substation in Ibadan, signaling a push to modernise infrastructure and enhance electrical energy entry.
The brand new substation to be positioned in Lalupon/Ejioku axis of Lagelu native authorities space will enhance energy provide to Iwo highway, Monatan, Olodo, and the adjoining areas in Ibadan.
Initially launched in 1979 underneath the army regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and operationalised in 1980 throughout President Shehu Shagari’s tenure, the Ikere Gorge Hydropower Plant will now endure a big improve.
The Minister of Energy, Adebayo Adelabu, revealed that the power’s capability will increase from 6MW to 20MW underneath a 30-year public-private partnership concession.
“The mission, initially stalled attributable to a most well-liked bidder’s failure to finalise phrases, was re-concessioned to a reserve contractor, Messrs Quaint Energy and Infrastructure Nigeria Restricted, after the unique provide lapsed,” the assertion added.
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Adelabu emphasised that the revitalised plant will prioritise vitality entry for Oyo’s Oke Ogun communities, with an upwardly revised concession charge guaranteeing long-term viability.
In the meantime, the federal government was stated to have additionally accepted the development of a 2 x 60MVA, 132/33KV substation in Lalupon/Ejioku in Lagelu Native Authorities Space of the state, to alleviate stress on the grid and enhance vitality provide.
“The substation, a part of the Siemens-backed Presidential Energy Initiative, is to be funded instantly by the Federal Ministry of Energy and goals to resolve frequent outages and grid instability plaguing the state capital,” the assertion added.
Adelabu famous that the infrastructure will function a spine for strategic investments, improve service supply, and align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for sustainable vitality.
“The mission contains upgrades to the 60-year-old 330KV Ayede substation and the development of a brand new Asejire 330KV substation, additional stabilising the grid for over 5 million residents. Completion is estimated at 24 months.
“Each initiatives are anticipated to catalyse socio-economic development by enhancing energy reliability for households, small companies, trade, academic and well being establishments,” it was added.
Adelabu underscored their function in resolving decades-old infrastructure gaps, stating that these interventions will instantly uplift livelihoods, appeal to industries, and place Oyo State as a mannequin for Nigeria’s vitality transition.
The assertion concluded that the approvals mark a crucial milestone in federal efforts to sort out grid vulnerabilities, with stakeholders anticipating ripple results on nationwide productiveness.
