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In a major boost to its drive to expand electricity supply, attract clean-energy investments and provide more reliable power for homes and businesses, the Enugu State Government has secured a $200 million investment for a 100MW solar power programme.
The investment, estimated at about N300 billion, was disclosed during a meeting between Governor Peter Mbah and a delegation from Eauxwell Nigeria Limited led by its Managing Director, Mr. Edwin Enwegbara, at Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday.
The investment engagement, brokered through the state’s Climate and Development Investment Platform (CDIP) coordinated by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate and Sustainable Development, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, is the first major investment breakthrough facilitated by the platform established by the Mbah administration to connect investors with government institutions, regulatory agencies and communities.
Welcoming the investment, Governor Mbah stressed that the state government’s interest goes beyond attracting capital, noting that the ultimate objective is to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to residents and businesses.
“We want an electricity market that encourages competition and gives consumers the benefit of competitive pricing,” the Governor said.
He said the tariff assumptions and financial model presented by the investors needed to be reviewed, emphasising the need to balance legitimate cost recovery by investors with electricity prices that households and businesses can afford.
“Cost recovery is important, but we must also ensure that the tariff is affordable to our people and businesses,” Mbah added.
He also called for a shorter implementation timeframe, pledging the state government’s support in removing bureaucratic and institutional bottlenecks that could delay delivery.
In his remarks, Mr. Enwegbara acknowledged the need to strike a balance and said the final tariff would be determined in collaboration with the relevant electricity regulators.
He explained that the proposed 100MW programme would deploy distributed solar generation, supported by battery storage, to provide more dependable electricity for communities and businesses, while also supporting productive activities, including agricultural processing, small businesses and other enterprises whose operations depend on reliable power.
Governor Mbah’s intervention comes against the backdrop of Enugu’s ongoing electricity-sector reforms and the state’s assumption of regulatory oversight of its intrastate electricity market, with the administration seeking to create a competitive electricity market capable of attracting further private investment.
Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), who joined the meeting virtually, explained the structure, objectives and implementation processes of the DARES programme.
The meeting had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, who also chairs the CDIP Steering Committee; the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze; Commissioners for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu; Trade and Investment, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo; and Lands, Barr. Chimaobi Okorie; as well as Special Advisers to the Governor on Project Delivery and Power, Ozurumba Afigbo and Joe Aneke, respectively, and the Chairman of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), Mr. Chijioke Okonkwo.
Also on the Eauxwell team were the Director of Business Development, Mr. Kingsley Okenyi; Head of Project Management, Mr. Lazarus Agu; and Project Engineer, Ms. Victoria John.
The meeting also addressed the separate Aninri electrification project. Following the discussion, Governor Mbah requested an urgent meeting with the President-General of the community and its traditional ruler to resolve land-related issues and facilitate commencement of the project.
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