News flash
- The newly built 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric power plant in Nigeria is nearing full commissioning after successfully completing its reliability test.
- The plant will now enter commercial operations under the management of Penstock Limited.
- Earlier this year, The Federal Government transferred operations of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant to Penstock Limited, a subsidiary of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, under a 30 year concession.
The project has been built with Chinese assistance on the upper and middle reaches of Kaduna River in the Niger State of Nigeria at a estimated cost of around US$1.3 billion. Zungeru is the biggest hydropower project under construction in Nigeria. It is also one of the biggest power projects in Africa to avail preferential loan facility from the Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) of China.
The plant is expected to generate 2.64 billion kWh of electricity a year, which will meet close to 10% of Nigeria’s total domestic energy needs. It will provide flood control, irrigation, as well as water supply and fish breeding facilities.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
