Makinde inaugurates first phase of 11MW power plant to boost electricity supply in Oyo

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, has inaugurated the first phase of an 11-megawatt (MW) independent power project in the state.

The state government said the first phase comprises a 10 MW gas-fired power generation and 1 MW photovoltaic (PV) solar solution.

In a statement via X on Friday, Makinde said the project will boost Oyo’s electricity supply by 14 percent, reducing the energy deficit in the state.

On November 7, the Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) said instability in the national grid will likely persist as the system undergoes repairs after another round of shutdown.

According to the governor, the project, a private investment by Elektron Energy, will reduce reliance on the national grid.

“To put the importance of this project into perspective, Oyo State receives an average of 80 MW from the national grid,“ Makinde said.

“So, when this project is completed, it would mean an increase of 14% in total of the electricity being supplied in Oyo State, further reducing the energy deficit in the State.”

He said it took a year to secure approval from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to begin the project.

“It took us one full year after the groundbreaking ceremony in December 2021 to get clearance from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to go ahead with the project,” he said.

“But with the recent amendment to the constitution that enables States to generate, distribute and transmit electricity, the decision will now be ours to make.”

Makinde added that the state is inviting more investors in the energy sector to Oyo, as there is a ready market for them.

On February 6, the governor said the state will be the first to achieve energy sufficiency in Nigeria.