Ambode pledges uninterrupted power supply

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday pledged uninterrupted electricity supply to the residents in seven years time when additional 3,000 megawatts would be generated through embedded power plants in the state.

While speaking during the presentation of the report by Embedded Power Technical Committee, Ambode said while the Federal Government continues its efforts to resolve the power crisis, it is now clear that the problems in the energy sector can no longer be left to the central government alone to solve.

He said: “The sustainable solution is one that involves the commitment and resources of all stakeholders in the power value chain.

“The overall objective of our intervention is to ensure energy security for Lagos by generating up to 3,000MW of power through accelerated deployment of embedded power plants in strategic locations in the state within three to seven years.

“350MW will be delivered by Q1 2018, additional 850MW by Q4 2018, and the balance of 1,800MW not later than Q3 2022.”

Ambode added that the state government would support the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to be signed between the distribution companies and the power providers.

“Other areas of collaboration will include support for collection, appropriate legislation and enforcement of power theft laws. We will actively collaborate with operators of oil blocks in the Lagos area to accelerate the extraction of gas for power generation. Alternative sources of fuel will be explored to sustain uninterrupted power supply in the medium to long term, including partnerships on investments in gas pipeline infrastructure through the state-owned corporation – Ibile Oil and Gas.