Enugu to build 660MW coal-fired power plant, groundbreaking set for July

The Enugu State Government has unveiled plans to construct a 660MW coal-fired power plant, with groundbreaking scheduled for July as part of Governor Peter Mbah’s strategy to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

Governor Mbah announced this during a solidarity visit by the Organised Private Sector Nigeria (OPSN) to Government House, Enugu. The OPSN—which includes NECA, MAN, NASSI, NASME, and the Enugu Chamber of Commerce—endorsed the governor for a second term, stating he had strengthened confidence in Enugu as an emerging destination for investment and commerce.

Mbah noted that Enugu was the first subnational to establish an electricity market following constitutional amendments that moved power to the Concurrent List.

“In July we are going to be breaking ground for a 660MW coal-fired power plant. The outlay in terms of time is 24 months. Post-2027, you will not have your power go off in Enugu. You are also going to have affordable electricity—by far the cheapest in the country,” he said.

He addressed environmental concerns, highlighting Enugu coal’s low sulfur content (below 0.5 percent) and high calorific value of about 7,000 kilocalories per kilogramme.

“The only country that comes close is Japan. Instead of just exporting our coal, we are going to be adding value, generating electricity with it.”

Mbah said the project followed two years of studies and securing coal assets to guarantee supply. He also cited investments in security, a one-stop shop for investors, a technology incubation centre, and a planned Artificial Intelligence Institute in partnership with NCC.

“In four years, AI will contribute $20 trillion to the global economy. We want to be at the epicentre—not just as consumers but as producers.”

Earlier, OPSN Convener Dr. Ugochukwu Chime commended the administration’s investments in security, urban renewal, and road networks, stating that Mbah’s private sector background had enabled practical decisions.

Other speakers, including Dr. Maduka Onyishi and ECCIMA President Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe, lauded the governor for turning Enugu into a hub for business and investment.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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