Nigeria’s power sector is set for a major boost as the Federal Government announced plans to inject 7,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity into the national grid under the first phase of the Siemens Power Project.
The initiative, according to the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, marks a decisive step toward achieving stable and reliable energy supply nationwide.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday during a meeting with a delegation from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Adelabu revealed that the country had already achieved an additional 700MW through the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) and was ready to advance into the Siemens phase to strengthen Nigeria’s grid infrastructure and energy transmission capacity.
“We are enhancing grid extension and expansion through programmes such as the Presidential Power Initiative, which has generated an additional 700 megawatts.
We are now moving to the first phase of the Siemens project, which will add 7,000 megawatts to our generation capacity and stabilise power supply,” the minister said.
FG to Add 7,000MW to National Grid: Key Reforms and Policy Impact
Adelabu, who has consistently championed reforms in the power sector, described estimated billing as an unfair practice that “shortchanges consumers,” noting that the government’s metering initiative aims to ensure transparency and accountability in electricity usage.
He stressed that metering remains a cornerstone of the administration’s energy reform strategy, as it would help reduce financial leakages and build trust between consumers and distribution companies.
“Our metering programme is progressing so that consumers can get accurate value for their consumption,” he said.
“The issue of estimated billing is a rip-off, and we’re determined to eliminate it through effective metering across all households.”
The FG to add 7,000MW to the national grid initiative also aligns with Nigeria’s broader Mission 300 agenda, a continental programme targeting energy access for 300 million Africans by 2030.
Nigeria, Adelabu noted, has made considerable strides in advancing this goal through both on-grid and off-grid solutions.
“We are focusing on expanding off-grid solar infrastructure to support rural development, agriculture, and small-scale businesses.
Thousands of solar-powered irrigation pumps and storage facilities will be deployed to assist farmers in improving food production and reducing post-harvest losses,” he said.
FG to Add 7,000MW to National Grid Through Siemens Partnership
The Siemens project, a flagship component of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), was launched to overhaul Nigeria’s transmission and distribution systems, improve operational efficiency, and bridge the gap between power generation and delivery.
The government’s renewed commitment signals a shift from rhetoric to full-scale implementation.
Adelabu explained that while Nigeria has an installed capacity of 13,000MW, only 5,000MW is currently being generated and distributed to consumers due to transmission and distribution bottlenecks.
The Siemens partnership, he said, aims to tackle those technical challenges by modernising grid components, deploying advanced substations, and improving reliability.
The minister emphasised that the FG to add 7,000MW to national grid project is a vital part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises energy security as a foundation for industrialisation, economic growth, and job creation.
Global Energy Alliance Commends Nigeria’s Progress
During the meeting, the delegation from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) praised Nigeria’s pace of power sector reform and pledged continued technical and philanthropic support.
GEAPP’s African Director, Labna Bhayani, expressed satisfaction with the government’s policy direction, particularly in grid expansion and clean energy access.
“We are impressed with Nigeria’s progress in policy and implementation, especially the balance between grid and off-grid initiatives.
GEAPP will provide collaboration and technical support where necessary to help the country achieve its clean energy goals,” Bhayani stated.
Unlike global lenders such as the World Bank or African Development Bank, GEAPP provides non-loan-based assistance — focusing on building technical capacity and supporting energy transition projects that directly benefit communities.
“Our goal is not lending but enabling. We will continue to support your vision to deliver affordable, clean, and reliable energy to Nigerians,” Bhayani added.
FG to Add 7,000MW to National Grid to Power Economic Growth
Adelabu assured the GEAPP delegation that Nigeria remains committed to fostering public-private partnerships that accelerate energy access and sustainability.
He reiterated that the FG to add 7,000MW to national grid initiative will not only stabilise the country’s power infrastructure but also boost productivity in key economic sectors such as manufacturing, health, and agriculture.
“Our long-term plan is to ensure every Nigerian community has access to clean and affordable power,” he said.
“We are determined to make energy the backbone of our national economic growth.”
He added that Nigeria’s collaboration with Siemens Energy, GEAPP, and other development partners will strengthen the ongoing Mission 300 strategy and help bridge the energy access gap for more than 85 million Nigerians currently living without electricity.
With the government’s renewed focus on grid modernisation, metering transparency, and international collaboration, the FG to add 7,000MW to national grid project represents a significant turning point in Nigeria’s energy transition.
As the Siemens Power Project enters its first phase, experts believe that the initiative could redefine the country’s power landscape and deliver on the long-awaited promise of reliable electricity for all Nigerians.
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