The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it has concluded plans to construct three power plants to generate about 4,600 megawatts in the northern part of the country.
The power plants, to be located in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano, would rely on gas supplies from the proposed Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, AKK, Gas Pipeline project.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, who made the presentation to Federal Executive Council, had said the pipeline would allow holistic movement of gas from the southern corridors to the northern hinterlands for increased gas utilization and power generation.
Mr. Kachikwu said about 364 million cubic meters of additional gas produced through the Niger Delta would be fed into the AKK pipeline through the Odidi Pipeline Project from Warri and the Southern marshlands of the region.
“We presently have trapped power, trapped gas, all in the southern corridors that is going nowhere because of lack of infrastructure.” he said.
The NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Maikanti Baru has also reveal that the power plant projects would be in partnership with private investors.
“As part of the drive to establish power plants to augment the power supply to the country, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, recently approved the AKK Gas Pipeline project to be financed through public-private partnership, PPP.” Mr. Baru said.
“The project comes with other auxiliary ones, including power generation plants in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano, with 1,350 MW, 900 MW and 2,350 MW capacity respectively.” he added.
The GMD also stated that the NNPC in partnership with private investors would also build fertilizer plants in some parts of the country, one of which would be located in Niger State.
While the contract for the geological mapping of the Bida Basin has been awarded to Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai and the job would be completed in three months. Dr. Baru Stated.
Baru also explained that once the geological mapping is completed, the NNPC’s Integrated Data Services Limited would be engaged to carry out the other aspects of the seismic activities, which would be completed by July 2018.
