Abia State is positioning itself as a key player in Nigeria’s energy sector, with aspirations to become the nation’s electricity hub, according to Professor Bart Nnaji, the former Minister of Power. Now serving as the chairman of Geometric Power, Nnaji shared this vision during a recent visit by a delegation of international electricity consultants to Geometric Power’s headquarters in the Osisioma Industrial Layout, Aba.
During the visit, Nnaji highlighted the upcoming construction of two major power plants within the Aba Ring-fenced Area, which covers nine out of the 17 local government areas in Abia State. One of the planned projects is a joint venture between Geometric Power and General Electric (GE), a global leader in power equipment manufacturing. The plant, located in Ukwa West, will generate 1,080 megawatts of electricity, making it a landmark project for both Abia State and Nigeria.
Nnaji emphasized that the project would have advanced further if not for the Federal Government’s five-year suspension of the World Bank’s partial risk guarantee for power purchase agreements. Despite this setback, he expressed optimism about the future of the initiative.
The visiting consultants, including representatives from INENUS and the International Solar Alliance, were invited by the Nigerian government to assist in deploying mini solar grids to underserved and unserved areas of the country. Abia is one of the states vying for a share of the $410 million loan provided by the World Bank to support these projects.
Praising Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to improving electricity access in Abia, Nnaji vowed to collaborate closely with the state government to help realize its ambitious energy goals, including the establishment of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Abia’s Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engineer Ikechukwu Monday, who led the visiting delegation, commended Nnaji for his support of the state’s electricity initiatives. He noted that Geometric Power’s involvement is crucial to the success of the state’s new electricity plan, particularly since many underserved areas fall within the Aba Ring-fenced zone managed by the company.
Ugo Opiegbe, managing director of Aba Power, detailed some of the key investments made by the company, including the installation of five new substations, refurbishment of three existing ones, and the expansion of the power network. He added that the company has made significant strides in metering customers and improving service reliability.
The consultants and government officials praised Geometric Power’s forward-thinking approach and substantial investments in the region, estimated at $800 million. This makes Geometric Power the largest investor in Southeast Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.
Abia State’s vision of becoming a power hub is steadily taking shape, with major projects in the pipeline that will significantly boost electricity generation and distribution, not only for the state but for Nigeria as a whole.
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