Eko and Ikeja Distribution companies (Discos) serving Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital are set to commence on the integrated generation of power to boost energy supplies to Lagosians. Charles Momoh, Chairman, West Power & Gas, the private company that acquired Eko Disco, stated this at a sideline plenary session at the Lagos State Ehingbeti 2014 Investment Summit yesterday.
He continued, “We have started the process of trying to improve power generation to Lagos by doing embedded generation of power. We have identified 45 companies we would like to work with and are talking to two. The longer-term plan is to bring in 500 MW into our local grid for distribution”
According to Momoh, Eko Disco has the capacity to distribute 700 MW, but currently gets a maximum of 240 MW from the grid since the private sector owners took over about five months ago.
Nigeria completed the first phase of its privatization programme last November through the sale of 18 companies unbundled from the former PHCN, comprising six generation companies (Gencos), 11 distribution companies (Discos), and a transmission company (TCN).
Lagos is estimated to need up to 20,000 MW of electricity for its 20 million people, but only an average of 1,000 MW is delivered to the state from the national grid.
“Lagos needs power plants dedicated to the state alone,” said Bart Nnaji, former minister of power.