FG TARGETS 6,000MW ELECTRICITY BY DECEMBER

The Federal Government has set a target of generating and wheeling 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December 2026 as part of efforts to improve power supply across Nigeria.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this in Lagos while commissioning two new 100MVA, 132/33kV power transformers at the Ijora Transmission Substation.

Tegbe said the government was working to increase electricity generation and strengthen the transmission network to support the 6,000MW target.

Nigeria currently has about 8,500MW of transmission wheeling capacity, while actual power generation has remained around 5,000MW. The minister's target therefore requires an increase in generation alongside improvements in transmission infrastructure.

The minister also announced plans to commission 20 transmission projects before the end of 2026, saying the projects would help strengthen the national grid and improve the reliability of electricity supply.

The newly commissioned transformers at the Ijora Transmission Substation are expected to increase the substation's capacity and support electricity distribution in parts of Lagos.

Tegbe said the Federal Government was focused on addressing bottlenecks across the electricity value chain, from generation to transmission and distribution.

The government has continued to invest in transmission infrastructure as part of broader reforms aimed at improving the reliability and availability of electricity across the country.

If achieved, the 6,000MW target would represent a significant increase from current generation levels and could provide additional power for households, businesses, and industries.

The planned transmission projects are also expected to improve the system's ability to evacuate and distribute additional electricity generated by power plants.