The Enugu State Government says it will build a 660-megawatt coal-fired power plant to improve electricity supply and attract industrial investment.
Governor Peter Mbah announced the plan Wednesday at the Government House while hosting a delegation from the Organised Private Sector Nigeria. Construction is set to begin in July and is expected to take 24 months.
Mbah said the project follows recent constitutional and legislative reforms that now allow states to participate in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. Enugu was among the first states to establish a subnational electricity market under the new framework.
“We are moving beyond setting up an electricity market to actually generating power locally,” he said, adding that the plant will deliver reliable and affordable electricity to residents and businesses.
The governor said Enugu’s coal has relatively low sulphur content and high energy value, making it suitable for power generation. The project follows about two years of feasibility studies and the acquisition of coal reserves to guarantee steady fuel supply.
He expressed confidence that the plant will reduce power outages and position Enugu as an investment hub.
Mbah also outlined ongoing efforts to make the state more attractive to investors, including improved security, infrastructure upgrades, a one-stop investment centre, and partnerships in technology and innovation.
South-East Zone Chairman of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Ugochukwu Chime, who led the OPSN delegation, praised the administration’s policies, citing progress in infrastructure, transportation, and the business environment.
Representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture also commended the government’s economic initiatives and its efforts to attract investment.
The OPSN delegation endorsed Mbah for a second term during the visit and presented locally made products to the governor.
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