The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has unveiled a shift toward renewables and direct supply to industrial clusters to stabilise electricity and cut production costs.

Managing Director, Jennifer Adighije, in a statement on Sunday, said the strategy prioritised long-term sustainability, operational efficiency and closing electricity gaps constraining industrial productivity.

She said NDPHC was integrating solar and small hydro with its gas-fired plants under the National Integrated Power Project.

“Diversifying our energy mix will ease pressure on thermal generation and strengthen resilience amid fuel shortages and infrastructure bottlenecks,” she said.

Mrs Adighije also confirmed a pilot solar project targeting industrial clusters in Kano State to provide dedicated, reliable electricity to manufacturing hubs.

“The initiative will reduce reliance on diesel generators, lower production costs and enhance competitiveness.

“This will serve as a template for similar interventions across major industrial centres nationwide,” she said.

Under its ‘Light Up Nigeria’ initiative, NDPHC plans to supply reliable electricity to clusters, markets, universities and residential communities.

The programme is expected to stimulate job creation, attract investment and support small and medium-sized enterprises hit by erratic supply.

According to Mrs Adighije, NDPHC is exploring direct supply arrangements with distribution companies and eligible customers within regulatory frameworks.

“Such partnerships will ensure our generated power reaches high-demand clusters where it delivers maximum economic impact,” she said.

She disclosed that NDPHC built 10 plants across 10 states, with eight commissioned and six in commercial operation.

Installed capacity stands at about 4,000 megawatts, nearly 30 per cent of Nigeria’s grid-connected generation.

“In the past year, we recovered about 900 megawatts of dormant capacity through optimisation and improved operational discipline.

“Predictive maintenance demonstrates commitment to maximising existing assets before embarking on new projects,” she said.

Mrs Adighije said the company retrieved 110 abandoned containers and 216 packages of critical equipment from ports after prolonged delays.

The equipment will accelerate ongoing generation, transmission and distribution projects nationwide.

Despite the progress, she acknowledged structural constraints limiting generation impact.

“Foremost is the mismatch between installed generation and the transmission network’s evacuation capacity.

“Gas shortages remain a major hurdle, with fuel procurement accounting for nearly 60 per cent of thermal plant operating costs. Liquidity challenges further compound the crisis,” she said.

She stated that only about 30 per cent of electricity market invoices were currently settled, straining the power value chain.

Mrs Adighije advocated a gradual shift to cost-reflective tariffs and decoupling government subsidies from electricity pricing.

“A financially viable market is essential to restore investor confidence and attract private capital,” she said.

She stressed that consistent implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 was critical to unlocking investment and strengthening infrastructure.

“Reliable electricity remains the backbone of industrialisation and improved living standards.

“With targeted renewable investments and dedicated industrial solutions, Nigeria’s power reliability will significantly improve in the years ahead,” she said.

 (NAN)