FG to harvest 10.8MW power from wind farm

By Oscarline Onwuemenyi
The Federal Government said the country’s first ever wind-propelled power project, due for commissioning in July this year in Kastina State, will contribute about 10.8 mega watts to the national grid.

This was disclosed recently by Minister of State for Power, Mr. Darius Ishaku, when a two-man delegation from Kastina State Government that comprised the Commissioner of Water Resources, Hon. Jamilu Mohammed Dan Musa, and the Special Adviser on Higher Education, Dr. Garba Shehu Matazu visited him.

The wind power project, which is funded by the Japanese international Cooperation Agency, JICA, was installed by Vergnet, and its successful take-off is expected to herald the construction of more wind power projects across the north of the country.

Ishaku also disclosed that another 0.8MW would be transmitted directly to the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Kastina, to serve the university community, adding that the 0.8MW would be sourced from a solar energy project also ongoing in the state.

He, therefore, advised the government to woo private investors to the state to participate in the provision of electricity as Government was willing to encourage private public partnership, PPP.

He noted that there are three dams in the state including Zobe, Sapkea, and Jibia, which when fully utilised, would provide electricity for the people of Kastina and its neighbouring states as well as improve the socio-economic status of the people.

Ishaku further noted that the feasibility reports on the Zobe and Jibia dams have been completed and submitted to government.

He also informed his guests that the Kurfi, Kankara, Malumfashi sub-stations and the Daura lines have been re-awarded to improve the voltage in Kastina and Kano states as well as ensure speedy completion.

He said the Federal Government was making all efforts to provide lasting solutions to the challenges in the power sector. He stressed that the current problem of power outages is caused by the shutdown of Kainji hydro power plant due to flood and under performance of the turbines in the Shiroro hydro power station largely due to low water level   in the last few weeks.

He promised to call for a meeting of the Chief Executive Officers in charge of the zone on how to improve on electricity supply to the area, and called on electricity consumers to pay their bills promptly. He noted that dearth of funds in the sector would also affect the distribution of power by the distribution companies as they also need funds to pay for the gas received from the generating companies.

He also told the delegation that the pre-paid meters would soon be distributed to the people of Kastina, as this would encourage consumers to pay for electricity consumed instead of the estimated bills given to them monthly.

Matazu had told the minister that they came to convey the Kastina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema’s message of concern on the incessant power outage in the state and to solicit the minister’s intervention to remedy the situation.