The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has disclosed that the country is on track to add an additional 150 megawatts of electricity to its national grid before the end of the year, following the successful completion of the pilot phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).

He made the disclosure to State House Correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu and the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Giving insights into what transpired at the meeting, Adelabu explained that the initiative, which is being implemented in collaboration with Siemens, aims to enhance Nigeria’s electricity supply through a series of strategic projects.

“We believe that before the end of the year, an additional 150 megawatts will be added upon completion of the entire pilot phase,” he said.

The Minister of Power outlined significant advancements in the country’s energy sector, emphasising the crucial role of international collaboration, particularly with Germany.

He pointed out that Germany’s expertise in renewable technologies aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s abundant natural resources. “Germany has technology; we have the sun and wind,” he added, highlighting that over 30 states in Nigeria enjoy a minimum of 10 hours of sunshine daily.

The minister also discussed plans for off-grid solutions, advocating for a distributed power model where each state would have its own generating plants. “This model will shield states from problems on the national grid and ensure rural electrification,” he explained.

Germany’s involvement extends beyond traditional energy sources; it includes significant investments in green energy projects.

The Minister of Power reaffirmed his commitment to advancing policies that enhance energy access and sustainability across the country. “Together with our partners, we can build a robust energy infrastructure that supports economic growth and improves quality of life for all Nigerians,” he declared.

The German Consul General in Lagos, Weert Borner, recently announced that Germany has added 670 megawatts to Nigeria’s grid capacity in 2024 alone through their ongoing partnership. “This partnership is vital for improving electricity access for final consumers,” Borner remarked during an interview.

Additionally, Nigeria is set to benefit from Germany’s ambitious €4 billion investment in green energy projects across Africa by 2030. (Daily Sun)