FG Unveils Plan for 1,900MW Modular Solar Plants in North, Eyes 8,000MW Target by 2027
The Federal Government has announced plans to build modular solar power plants totaling 1,900 megawatts (MW) across the 19 northern states, as part of a major push to increase renewable energy adoption and strengthen Nigeria’s national power grid.
Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu disclosed this at the sixth edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series held in Abuja. He also revealed the administration’s target to reach 8,000MW of electricity generation and distribution by 2027, the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term.
Energy Independence for Northern States
According to Adelabu, each northern state will receive a 100MW modular solar power station to boost regional energy independence and reduce pressure on the national grid.
This move follows recent challenges in the north caused by vandalism of key transmission lines, which triggered blackouts in 17 of the 19 northern states, including Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, and Borno.
Public-Private Partnerships Fueling Grid Expansion
Adelabu emphasized that the government is tapping into private sector investment to enhance grid capacity, introduce new generation sources, and finance infrastructure.
He highlighted two key investors:
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Sun Africa: Set to inject 1,000MW of solar power into the national grid.
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Skipper Energy: Partnering with the government to build 100MW modular solar plants in each northern state.
“These projects will not only diversify our energy mix beyond hydro and gas but also reduce the country’s overreliance on a centralized grid,” he noted.
8,000MW Target in Sight
Adelabu described the 8,000MW goal as realistic, citing recent gains under the Tinubu administration. Since taking office in August 2023, average daily power generation has risen from 4,100MW to 5,800MW, he said—a 40% increase in just over a year.
“If we keep this pace, we can achieve 8,000MW before 2027,” he asserted.
Historic Grid Improvements and Private Sector Funding
With Nigeria’s national grid historically plagued by poor maintenance and underinvestment, the minister praised recent upgrades made under President Tinubu.
Highlights include:
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61 new transformers commissioned in 2024, totaling 5,589 MVA.
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9 additional transformers added in Q1 2025 across Lagos, Benin, Bauchi, Oshogbo, Kano, and Kaduna.
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Improved transmission capacity of up to 8,700MW, up from 5,000MW two years ago.
“We’ve proven that the grid can now carry 5,800MW without collapsing. With these upgrades, it can handle up to 8,700MW,” he said.
Private Sector to Fund Grid Expansion
Due to limited government funding, the FG is looking to the private sector to finance new transmission lines, substations, and transformers. Adelabu said private companies are already showing interest, with the Nigerian Independent System Operator working to facilitate such partnerships.
“The national grid is still 100% government-owned. But to meet our energy goals, we must bring in private capital,” he stated.
Kaduna Power Plant Back on Track
Adelabu also announced that the long-abandoned 215MW Kaduna Power Plant is now 87% complete and will be fully operational by end of 2025.
The plant, left idle for six years, was originally awarded in 2009 to General Electric and Rockson Engineering. After a site inspection in 2024, the minister secured President Tinubu’s approval to resume construction.
Expanding Access, Boosting Reliability
Currently, about 150 million Nigerians have access to electricity, while 80 million still remain off-grid. Adelabu noted that access is not the only concern—stability and affordability remain key challenges.
To solve this, the government is working to:
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Regionalise the grid (eastern and western supergrids are in the works).
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Reduce grid-wide failures by isolating regional disturbances.
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Continue infrastructure rollout via the Presidential Power Initiative, which added 700MW across 13 locations in its pilot phase.
Zero Grid Failures in 2025 (So Far)
Encouragingly, the minister confirmed that there have been no major grid disturbances in 2025, a notable improvement after repeated failures in previous years.
“Our response time is better than ever. Any disturbance is restored in 1–2 hours,” he said.
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A New Era for Nigeria’s Power Sector?
The Federal Government’s comprehensive approach—renewables, public-private partnerships, and infrastructure investment—is reshaping the power landscape. As Adelabu concluded, these actions are not just about generation, but about creating a stable, accessible, and affordable power supply for all Nigerians.
