NEWS
Lagos Gov’t Launches Bid For 500MW Gas Power Hubs Amid Energy Crisis
In a significant move to address Lagos State’s ongoing energy crisis, the Lagos State Government has issued an open call for bids from independent power producers and energy solution companies to establish gas-fired power plants.
The initiative, unveiled by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) in collaboration with the Office of Public-Private Partnerships (OPPP), is designed to generate up to 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity across four dedicated energy hubs in Lagos.
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This ambitious project is part of the Clean Lagos Electricity Market (CLEM) initiative, aimed at enhancing energy security and sustainability within Africa’s largest metropolitan area, with over 20 million residents.
Current electricity distribution in Lagos falls significantly short, with supply often limited to less than 2,000 MW at peak times, despite demand exceeding 6,000 MW.
Closing the Energy Gap
The project, according to MEMR, includes strategically positioned hubs near existing Distribution Companies (DisCos) substations, allowing optimal power distribution.
Each hub is expected to house a gas-fired plant with a minimum capacity of 100 MW per participating company, aiming to boost the state’s energy supply and address the growing needs of Lagos’ industrial, commercial, and residential sectors.
“The Clean Lagos Electricity Market is crucial to bridging the gap between our energy demand and supply.
This project will support the state’s dynamic economic growth and ensure a stable energy future,” a government spokesperson commented.
Strengthening Energy Security and Sustainability
The Lagos State Government emphasized its commitment to long-term energy security through the initiative, which it sees as a step toward reducing the city’s dependence on the national grid and bolstering Lagos’ leadership in sustainable energy solutions.
Each of the four hubs has a target generation capacity of 500 MW, with support available to private-sector investors for project financing, engineering, construction, commissioning, and plant operation.
Additionally, companies involved in the project will be responsible for securing a steady fuel supply, primarily natural gas, to maintain continuous operations.
The minimum generation capacity of 100 MW per plant is non-negotiable, underscoring the state’s dedication to robust infrastructure that meets Lagos’ demanding energy needs.
Encouraging Investment and Innovation
To attract a mix of technical and financial expertise, the state welcomes bids from both individual companies and consortia, with one company required to serve as the lead in consortium bids.
Detailed application guidelines are available at www.ppplagos.lagosstate.gov.ng, with additional inquiries directed to info@ppplagos.ng.
“Our goal is to foster a competitive environment that draws top-tier energy companies to Lagos. We’re confident this project will bring world-class innovation and expertise to our energy sector,” said the MEMR.
What You Need to Know
As Nigeria’s most populous state, Lagos not only accounts for a large share of the country’s electricity consumption but also relies heavily on petrol for power, consuming around 6.6 billion liters annually.
This dependency contributes to an estimated 17.8 million tons of carbon emissions each year, driven largely by the city’s limited and unreliable grid supply.
The planned power plants represent a critical step in meeting Lagos’ energy needs and reducing its reliance on the national grid, while contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape.
With these initiatives, Lagos State hopes to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population and position itself as a leader in sustainable energy development.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will hold his first Presidential Media Chat tonight, December 23, at 9 p.m.
The landmark event, announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, will be broadcast live on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
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All other television and radio stations have been invited to join the simulcast, ensuring nationwide access.
This highly anticipated media engagement offers an opportunity for President Tinubu to address key national issues, outline his administration’s achievements, and shed light on policies shaping the future of the nation.
Nigerians are encouraged to tune in to stay informed about the government’s vision and policies for the nation.
The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA), has sounded an alarm over an impending healthcare crisis, issuing a 14-day ultimatum to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The doctors have threatened a “deadliest shutdown” of hospital operations if their welfare demands remain unresolved.
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Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, highlighted the dire state of doctors’ welfare, despite acknowledging the minister’s achievements in infrastructural development.
He said, “We appreciate the minister for his infrastructural development in the FCT since his emergence. But doctors are an abandoned project. While he fixes infrastructural abandoned projects, we are the human abandoned projects. We believe the minister can deal with the challenge.”
List of Demands
The doctors are calling for immediate action on the following issues:
- Payment of six months’ salary arrears owed to members employed in 2023.
- Release of the 2024 Medical Residency Training Fund.
- Reduction of the bonding policy from six years to two.
- Implementation of skipping allowances for 2023 intakes and issuance of related letters.
- Immediate payment of 2024 accoutrement allowances.
- Clearance of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears.
- Conversion of ARD Post 2 members to consultants.
- Recruitment of healthcare workers to address manpower shortages.
The association had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum at its Annual General Meeting, with just 14 days now remaining for the minister to meet their demands.
Dr. Ebong warned that failure to act would lead to a complete shutdown of medical services in the FCT, describing the potential strike as “the deadliest shutdown.”
Ebong said, “This injustice is alien to the FCT; if allowed to persist, the nation’s health sector will collapse. We do not want the deadliest shutdown, but if no action is taken, we will have no choice. The health of this nation is at stake, and the minister must act without delay.”
The association called on Wike to urgently address their grievances, emphasizing that the welfare of medical professionals is vital for the sustainability of healthcare delivery in the FCT and beyond.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has reduced the pump price of petrol at its retail outlets in Abuja to N965 per litre, down from N1,030 per litre.
The new pricing, confirmed at NNPC stations in the Central Area and Nyanya suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory, reflects intensified competition in the downstream petroleum market, particularly with the entry of products from the Dangote Refinery.
This is the second price cut by NNPC in two weeks, following a previous reduction from N1,060 to N1,030 per litre.
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Motorists have expressed cautious optimism over the adjustment, describing it as a step in the right direction but calling for further reductions.
“I noticed the new price yesterday,” said Adamu Shuaibu, a commercial driver on the Nyanya-Zuba route.
“The government is trying, but they should do more. The price should return to N530 per litre so that the cost of other goods can decrease too.”
Similarly, Taofeek Adetunji, a private car owner, attributed the price reduction to President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms and expressed hope for sustained improvements.
“When the President promised his reforms would yield results, many doubted him. But now you can see it. We are optimistic that prices will keep dropping. Petrol is vital to the economy, and this reduction will soon reflect in the cost of goods and services,” Adetunji said.
Motorists have urged the Federal Government to continue its efforts to make petrol more affordable, emphasizing its significance to the nation’s economy and the cost of living.
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