Power generation now stands at 7000MW, distribution at ‘all-time high’ of 5,222MW— Fashola

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, says Nigeria’s current power generation has reached 7000 Mega Watts (MW), while distribution stands at an “all-time national high” of 5,222 Mega Watts (MW).

Fashola made the disclosure on Friday in Calabar at a retreat organized by the ministry for top directors, heads of units and chief executives of agencies and parastatals.

The minister, who acknowledged that the more work still lie ahead to addressing the challenge of power supply in the sector, stressed that ministry had recorded some progress from where it was three years ago.

“Three years ago, the story was that power generation was the main problem of Nigeria. The story was that the distribution companies were complaining that they did not have enough energy to distribute to Nigerians.

“We were distributing averagely 2,690 mega watts of electricity to Nigerians, but today, that story has changed, distribution has risen to 5,222 mega watts, an all-time national high.

“Transmission has reached 7,000 while generation has reached 7000. The problem has not finished but all we can say is that we have made progress.”

Last week, the Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, was quoted to have said, “while there is an available capacity of 7,000 MW, the best that can be generated at this time is 5,000MW.”

According to him, that could not be achieved due to insufficient gas to power the thermal plants.