Amidst recurrent national grid failures, some Nigerian states are advancing plans to develop independent power plants, aiming to provide stable and affordable electricity. The national power grid, which has experienced 10 collapses this year alone, is under intense scrutiny as states explore alternatives for energy resilience. These grid failures have left much of the country in darkness, with restoration often slow and incomplete; as of Friday evening, only 2,306.35MW was restored from the latest outage.

States’ Push for Independent Power

Recent changes to Nigeria’s electricity laws have empowered states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity independently, breaking the long-standing federal monopoly. The 2023 Electricity Act, signed by President Bola Tinubu, now enables states to pursue local energy solutions to address high tariffs and persistent blackouts. Here is an overview of efforts in various states:

1. Lagos State: Leading in self-reliance, Lagos is establishing four gas-fired power hubs, each with a 100MW minimum capacity. The state is working on a legislative bill to manage a largely independent electricity market, aiming to reduce its dependence on the national grid. Lagos currently receives less than 2GW of the required 6GW capacity.
2. Ekiti State: Ekiti has licensed 14 electricity investors for independent power generation, aiming to address its 120MW deficit. Governor Biodun Oyebanji has announced plans for a local grid to reduce dependence on the national system.
3. Osun State: Osun is progressing with its plans for independent power generation, including a mini-hydro project at Ikeji-Ile. The state government will soon present a bill to the assembly to support these initiatives.
4. Ogun State: Ogun plans to leverage the Oyan Dam to generate electricity. Governor Dapo Abiodun has created a Ministry of Energy to drive the state’s power goals.
5. Rivers State: With four existing gas turbine projects totaling over 450MW, Rivers State has announced upgrades to maximize output under the new independent framework.
6. Benue State: The Benue government is pushing for an independent power plant to support local socio-economic development, with plans underway to establish a pilot plant.
7. Kogi State: Kogi has set up a regulatory framework for its own electricity company and is inviting investors to engage in independent power generation.
8. Gombe State: Gombe recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China18th Engineering to build a 100MW solar plant, aiming for self-sufficiency and a buffer against nationwide outages.
9. Nasarawa State: Nasarawa’s legislative assembly has empowered the state to develop its own power, with a new law supporting the establishment of local generation and transmission.
10. Edo State: Edo’s Ossiomo Power Plant, a 95MW facility, supplies government buildings and over 20 private companies, positioning itself as a reliable alternative to the national grid.
11. Kaduna State: Kaduna is exploring solar energy as a sustainable option, with plans to develop up to 300MW. The initiative will create jobs and help stabilize the state’s power supply.
12. Adamawa State: Despite a previous proposal for hydroelectric power from the Kiri Dam, no recent actions have been taken to advance the project under Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s administration.
13. Zamfara State: Rather than pursuing independent generation, Zamfara aligns with a regional plan for a single power generation facility to serve all northern states.

The intensified drive by these states underscores a national shift toward localized, stable, and reliable energy solutions. As Nigeria’s energy landscape evolves, these initiatives highlight the potential for transformative change in power accessibility across the country.