Nigeria has commissioned the 40 megawatts (MW) Dadin Kowa Hydropower plant project located in the Gombe State. The project was built by Nigerian company, Mabon Group Limited, in partnership with Power China.
The power plant uses the Dadin Kowa Multipurpose Dam and comprises two 20MW hydropower turbine generators, a 132-kV switchyard, transmission line and distribution substations.
Mabon was awarded the project under a 25-year build-operate-transfer concession, and partnered with Power China which will act as the operation and maintenance consultant.
“The completion of Dadin Kowa hydropower is a testament to the power of collaboration, it took a great effort and resources from different stakeholders to ensure the success of this project,” said Richard Madububyi, the Managing Director of Mabon Group Limited.
Hydropower plant to enhance economic growth in Gombe state
Speaking at the project’s commissioning ceremony, the Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Yahaya, remarked that the Dadin Kowa hydropower project will be very crucial project to the socio-economic growth, and development of the Gombe state and the North East sub-region.
“The completion and inauguration of this power project represents a milestone in the energy independence of the North East sub-region. This, and the Kashimbla Power Project are the only grid generating plants in the sub-region, and therefore they are crucial to the grid and voltage stability in the sub-region,” said Governor Yahaya.
Nigeria’s outgoing President, Muhammadu Buhari said; “The realisation of this project demonstrates our commitment to achieving the target of Electricity Vision 30:30:30, which entails the supply of 30 GW of electricity by 2030 with renewable energy contributing at least 30% to the energy mix to accelerate the increase in access to electricity.”
Nigeria has a huge potential to generate electricity from hydropower. According to estimates from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the country could potentially have up to 15,5 GW of installed hydropower generation capacity by 2050.