Edo power supply drive gets major boost as 100MW project targets December completion

BENIN CITY — The drive to improve electricity generation and supply ine Edoe State received a major boost over the weekend with the granting of transmission and distribution licences to CCETC Ogua Energy Limited for the full utilisation of its planned 100-megawatt power project in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

The development is expected to strengthen the state’s electricity supply capacity, support industrial and commercial activities and improve access to more reliable power for households and businesses across Edo State.

The state government, which expressed optimism that the project would be completed and commissioned before the end of 2026, described the licensing milestone as a significant step towards unlocking the full potential of the power project.

The Commissioner for Power, Paul Usenbo, disclosed this over the weekend in Benin City while presenting the licence certificate to the company.

Usenbo said the project had successfully met the key requirements and timelines established for its first phase, which was scheduled for completion at the end of July.

He explained that relevant government agencies had continued to provide technical guidance, regulatory support and other necessary assistance to ensure that the developers complied with required standards, assessments and regulatory conditions.

According to him, the successful completion of the first phase had paved the way for the project’s second and final phase, which would culminate in the commissioning of the facility.

The commissioner said the state government expected the developers to complete the outstanding phase and commission the 100MW facility before the end of the year, adding that most of the major project milestones were expected to be substantially achieved by October.

He, however, acknowledged that unforeseen technical challenges or regulatory encumbrances could affect the projected completion date, assuring the developers that the government would consider an extension where significant difficulties arose.

Usenbo said the state remained encouraged by the progress of work at the project site, particularly the ongoing arrival and installation of power-generation equipment.

He expressed confidence that the generation machines being delivered to the site would be installed, tested and made operational within the projected timeframe.

Beyond the licensing milestone, the project is being viewed as an important component of the state government’s efforts to address the electricity needs of a rapidly expanding economy.

With a targeted generation capacity of 100MW, the facility is expected to add substantial power to the state’s electricity ecosystem and reduce some of the supply constraints confronting homes, businesses and productive enterprises.

Reliable electricity supply is critical to Edo’s industrialisation drive, particularly for manufacturers, small and medium-scale enterprises, artisans, traders, hospitals, educational institutions and other establishments whose operations depend heavily on stable power.

Improved electricity availability could also help businesses reduce their dependence on expensive alternative sources of power, thereby lowering operating costs and improving productivity.

The project is therefore expected to have implications beyond power generation, with increased electricity supply capable of stimulating investment, supporting job creation, improving the operating environment for businesses and enhancing economic activities across the state.

The transmission and distribution licences are also significant because they provide the regulatory framework for the effective evacuation and utilisation of the electricity to be generated by the facility.

For Edo, the expectation is that the completion of the project will translate into a more robust and dependable electricity supply network, particularly as the state continues to pursue infrastructure-led economic development.

Usenbo said the government would continue to work with the developers and relevant agencies to ensure that the project remained on course.

He added that the state was optimistic about the project’s prospects, given the level of work already completed and the steady installation of major equipment at the site.

If completed and commissioned as projected, the 100MW facility could mark a significant milestone in Edo State’s quest for improved electricity generation and supply, providing additional power to support the state’s economic transformation and the government’s development agenda.