Enugu to establish 350-Megawatt coal-fired power plant in Oji River

A 350-megawatt coal-fired power plant is set to be established in Oji River, Enugu State, to boost electricity supply across the South-East regions

Ayodele Ikumapayi, the project consultant, disclosed during the South East Electricity Summit held in Enugu recently.

According to Ikumapayi, the project that is expected to be completed within two years will serve Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi states.

Ikumapayi stated that the plant would leverage the abundant high-quality coal reserves in Enugu State, which he said are sufficient to power the facility for 40 to 50 years.

He added that by-products such as coal ash would also be harnessed for industrial use, including the production of cement and ceramic tiles.

“Unlike many thermal plants in Nigeria that depend on gas transported from distant regions, the Oji River project will utilise locally sourced coal,” he said.

“There are significant deposits of sub-bituminous coal and other low-sulfur grades across Enugu State.”

He emphasized that thermal power plants remain a viable option for long-term industrial development due to their durability and reliability.

On the project’s progress, Ikumapayi revealed that it has received backing from the Enugu State Government, while licensing processes have commenced with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission and that Environmental Impact Assessments are also underway.

He further argued that coal-powered plants represent a modern and dependable approach to energy generation, citing examples from global economies. “Countries like China and India continue to invest heavily in coal power to sustain their industrial growth,” he noted.

Chinedu Nebo, former minister of power, in his keynote address, described coal as a cost-effective energy source still widely used in developed nations.

He called for increased investment in transmission infrastructure to ensure efficient distribution of electricity to industrial clusters, institutions, and healthcare facilities across the region.

Lawrence Agubuzu, former chairman of Enugu State traditional rulers’ council, commended the initiative, expressing optimism that the project would significantly enhance energy supply in the South-East.

Chekwas Okorie, who also spoke, urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts toward addressing infrastructural deficits in the region. While acknowledging the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he expressed concern that the commission is yet to receive funding more than a year after its creation.

The summit, themed ‘Genuine Search for 24/7 Electricity Supply to the South East Zone,’ was organised by the Njiko Igbo Forum and attracted key stakeholders and industrialists from across the region