This has led the company to build a 100MW “Safe Grid” to provide a reliable 24-hour power supply to Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states, supporting critical industries, commercial areas, and government infrastructure.
Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has announced the development of a $100 million “Safe Grid” to combat significant disruptions caused by receiving less than half of its allocated power from the national grid.
According to Sani Bala Sani, Head, Corporate Communications in a statement on Tuesday, the shortfall has affected KEDCO’s ability to maintain stable supply, creating challenges for customers, institutions, and businesses while straining the company’s financial performance.
“Our franchise area continues to suffer due to grid allocation challenges, and we are receiving less than half of what is needed,” KEDCO stated.
This has led the company to build a 100MW “Safe Grid” to provide a reliable 24-hour power supply to Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states, supporting critical industries, commercial areas, and government infrastructure.
The first phase, a 20MW power plant in Tamburawa, is being developed with Utilita under a $20 million emergency project and is expected to become operational by year-end.
“The ‘Safe Grid’ will be powered by embedded electricity generation in KEDCO’s network to ensure energy security,” said Sani Bala Sani, KEDCO’s Head of Corporate Communications.
To increase capacity, KEDCO plans to incorporate 10MW from Haske Solar Power Plant, 16MW from Tiga and Challawa hydroelectric projects, and is negotiating with the Federal Ministry of Power to add the 10MW Katsina Wind Farm to the network.
With support from state governments, KEDCO’s Safe Grid aims to minimise reliance on the grid, providing consistent power and protecting industries and job security.
The statement reads in part, “Due to the lingering effects of the challenges the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is currently facing in supplying energy to our franchise area, KEDCO is still receiving less than half of its allocation from the grid, which has caused great disruptions for our valued customers, institutions, and businesses while challenging our company's financial performance
“The 'Safe Grid' will be powered by embedded electricity generation in KEDCO's network to ensure energy security within the network and eliminate the risks associated with absolute dependence on the grid such as unreliability and total blackouts, enabling key industries and socio-economic activities to thrive in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States while safeguarding jobs and competitiveness in our network.
“This project will build the first 20MW power plant (of the 100MW) with Utilita under an Emergency Project valued at $20 million that will be operational by the end of the year to begin supply for the ‘Safe Grid.’”