By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) is supporting Gombe State’s plan to close the 170 megawatts of electricity gap, as the state currently draws just 30 mega watts from the national grid against an estimated requirement of 200 mega watts.
This forms part of the discussion during the visit by a delegation from the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission to the headquarters of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in Abuja
Usman Abba Arabi, Chairman of the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission, says the supply gap of 170 mega watts is threatening to undercut the state’s ambition as a commercial and industrial hub in the North East.
To close this energy gap in the state, Dr Arabi reveals that 30 mini-grids are currently being developed as part of the state’s power expansion plan.
This he notes will require the collaboration with NISO.
Abdu Bello Mohammed, Managing Director of NISO, identifies the state’s new industrial park and its coal reserves as justification for scaling up supply, and pledges that NISO would support efforts to develop a workable business model for expanded access.
