Buharimeter: To ensure the completion of the on-going Zungeru Hydro Power project

The 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant (ZHPP) located across the Kaduna River in Zungeru town Niger state is the second biggest of its kind in Nigeria after the Kanji Hydroelectric station. The construction of the ZHPP is in collaboration with the Chinese government who provide 75 percent of the needed funds in form a loan with the remaining 25 percent being sourced from the Federal Government of Nigeria. The project which is being carried out by a Chinese consortium comprising  China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC) and Sinohydro has a cost of $1.6b and is estimated to generate 2.64 billion kWh of electricity a year, which will meet close to 10% of Nigeria’s total domestic energy needs.

The construction started in 2013 and was initially scheduled for completion in 2018 but due to political instability and the delay of funds construction was stalled for a while. Buhari in 2019 promised to complete the construction of the Power Plant in his Next Level Agenda. The Project has been now reached 92 percent completion rate as at December 2022 with a concession to manage it for 30 years being given to Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) .

The Zungeru hydropower project will provide power generation, flood protection and water for irrigation. The project includes a roller-concrete compacted dam (90 meters in height and 1,090 meters in length), an intake tower and diversion tunnel, underground powerhouse, power transmission line and access road.

 The project is set to be completed and commisioned before President Buhari vacates office on the 29^th of May 2023. We therefore rate this promise as Kept

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Zungeru Hydro Power Project Nears Completion, to be Commisioned by December

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Nigeria since its Independence for the British colonial masters in 1960 has been plagued with an erratic and epileptic power supply that has stifled its economic growth and development, several governments over the years have introduced many policies and interventions aimed at resolving the issue of erratic electricity generation and supply in Nigeria.

In the 2019 manifesto of President Muhammadu Buhari promised he will ensure the completion of the ongoing Zungeru Hydro Power Project which will add 700MW to the national grid.

The Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project being constructed by a Consortium of Chine National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC) and SINOHYDRO is a 700MW (940,000hp) hydroelectric power plant under construction in Niger state, the construction of the $1.3 billion project started in May 2013, Construction is across the Kaduna River, near a town called Zungeru in North-western Nigeria. Initially, it was to take 60 months. However, several changes were made against the project thus slowing it down. When ready, it will generate 700 megawatts of electricity.

Reported by Kehinde Akintola “According to a statement issued by the company’s Deputy Project Manager, Li Xiao Ming, the first turbine which will generate 175MW of electricity will be commissioned in the first quarter of 2022, the second turbine which will also generate 175MW of electricity will also be commissioned in the second quarter of 2022; the third turbine is expected to be commissioned in the third quarter of 2022 while the fourth, which is the last is expected to come on stream in December 2022. He also added, in addition to the generation of electricity, the plant will also provide flood control, irrigation as well as water supply and fish breeding facilities to host communities and beyond and is expected to provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to more than 2,000 people”.

The completion of the power plant will no doubt increase the power generation capability of the nation and improve agriculture through flood control and irrigation thereby, driving economic growth.

The Project is slated to be commissioned before December 2022 which is within the timeframe of President Buhari Next-level tenure, this promise is rated In the Works.

Reference:

Kehinde Akintola. “700MW Zungeru Power Project Worth $1.3bn To Be Completed in Q4 2022.” Nigerian Tribune 2 Jan. 2022,

https://tribuneonlineng.com/700mw-zungeru-power-project-worth-1-3bn-to-be-completed-in-q4-2022/. Accessed 23 March 2022

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