Owan, who said it would take another three to four years to stabilise the sector, assured that the electricity problem would be a thing of the past by the time the 8,000MW is achieved.
The companies that were issued the licences include Ethiope Energy Limited in Delta State, which plans to produce 2800 MW; ICS power in Abia State to produce 624 MW; Supertek Nigeria Limited in Abia state to produce 1000 MW; Geometric Power Limited in Abia State 1000MW; Westcom Techn-ologies and Energy Services Limited in Ogun State to produce 1000MW.
Others Mabon Limited in Gombe State to produce 39 MW; Bresson Nigeria Limited in Ogun State to produce 60 MW; Ibafo Power Station in Ogun State to produce 200 MW; and Hudson Power Limited in Ogun state for 150MW.
Owan also said the country’s energy mix is one-sided, while he listed alternative sources of energy which could be considered as wind power, solar power, coal and nuclear power. He said already, the commission has received 100 applications for building of Coal power plant in Enugu State.
Also yesterday, PHCN said the Federal Government spent a total of N521 billion ($4.07 billion) between 1999 and 2007.
A statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs of the PHCN, Mrs Efuru Igbo, made available to THISDAY, said of this amount, the PHCN received the sum of N264 billion ($2.06 billion) while National integrated Power Projects (NIPP) and Niger Delta Power Holding Company Plc (NDPHC) got a total of N257 billion ($2.01 billion) respectively, which translate to a sum of N521 billion ($4.07 billion).
PHCN said the amount was below the figures recently published in some newspapers. It also disclosed that the approved budgetary allocation for PHCN and the defunct National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) for the period was N396 billion ($3.1 billion), but that to date, it has only received the sum of N264 billion ($2.06 billion).
The company added that Chevron was constructing a 780MW power station at Agura, Lagos at a cost of $750 million (N96 billion) and Shell Petroleum Plc a 1000MW power station at Afam, Rivers State at a cost of $1 billion (N128 billion).
On government funding, PHCN said the sum of N126 billion ($986 million) was for the rehabilitation of six existing thermal and hydro power stations at Afam, Delta, Egbin, Kainji, Sapele and Shiroro and the construction of the following power stations: 150MW Delta, 414MW Geregu/Ajaokuta, 335MW Omotosho, all of which have been completed and connected to the grid. The others are 335MW Olorunsogo/Papalanto (commissioned, awaiting connection to the grid), 230MW Omoku and 504MW Alaoji, all under construction. PHCN/NEPA funded the construction of 276MW Afam Power Station at the cost of N22 billion (Euro130 million) from Internally Generated Revenue.
"The lack of maintenance and replacement of damaged equipment led to a wide gap between demand and supply. Generation went down from installed capacity of about 5200MW to 1,750MW, as compared to a load demand of 6,000MW. At the same time, only nineteen (19) out of the seventy nine (79) installed generating units were in operation", the statement read.
PHCN further stated that the amount was used among others, for the completion Abuja-Shiroro 330KV double circuit line and substations at Katampe and Central Area, Abuja, Owerri-Ahoada-Yenagoa 132KV line and substations, Kano-Dutse-Azare 132KV and associated substations.
"Also, the sum of N25 billion ($192 million) was released for the reinforcement of distribution infrastructure including construction of substations, procurement of transformers and meters, while the sum of N7 billion ($57 million) was for other operational expenditures."
Furthermore, the Federal Government in collaboration with the States and Local Governments in 2005, embarked on the construction of new power stations under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) of Niger Delta Power Holding Co. Plc (NDPHC). The power stations are; 561MW Calabar, 338MW Egbema, 225MW Gbarain, 451MW Ihovbor/Eyaen, 451MW Sapele and 230MW Omoku. The NIPP project also involves the construction of transmission lines, associated substations and reinforcement of distribution infrastructure. The sum of N257 billion ($2.01 billion) has so far been funded.
"It should be appreciated that Power Sector is capital intensive and have long gestation periods. The international bench mark price for the construction of a new 100MW power plant is $100 million (N12.8 billion). Presently, Chevron is constructing a 780MW power station at Agura, Lagos at a cost of $750 million (N96 billion). Also, Shell Petroleum Plc is constructing a 1000MW power station at Afam, Rivers State at a cost of $1billion (N128 billion). With adequate and timely funding, it takes an average of 3 to 4 years to complete a 100MW Greenfield Power Station and about 3 years to complete a 100KM high tension transmission line and substation", it explained.
Source: This Day Online
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