The Ekiti State Government has initiated the trial phase of the Independent Power Project (IPP) in a bid to bolster the region’s electricity supply. The project, initially set in motion during the tenure of former Governor Kayode Fayemi and subsequently completed under the leadership of current Governor Biodun Oyebanji, serves as a pivotal step in addressing the persistent challenges associated with power provision in the state.
Commissioner for Infrastructure, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, disclosed that the project has undergone a successful two-week trial period, with an initial distribution of 700kw out of the 3.5megawatts capacity. Notably, the testing encompassed crucial government facilities such as the Governor’s Office, Government House, State Secretariat Complex, House of Assembly Complex, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), and the prominent streetlights along major roads within the metropolis.
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Aluko further emphasized the expansion of the initiative to encompass private entities, operating on a willing buyer, willing seller basis.
Technical Director of Ekiti IPP Limited, Mrs. Odunayo Lanre-Bamodu, an accomplished engineer, affirmed the seamless operation of the project, highlighting its significant contribution to powering various government establishments across Ado-Ekiti.
Providing detailed insights into the project, she emphasized its status as a metropolitan power source, boasting an 11-kilometer underground distribution network, along with multiple substations and Ring Main Units (RMUs). The power plant itself comprises two generating sets, totaling 2.65MW, with provisions for future expansion.
Bamodu reiterated the project’s commitment to round-the-clock, uninterrupted power supply and stressed the availability of opportunities for both individuals and corporate entities to benefit from the plant. Moreover, she underscored the commencement of training and retraining programs aimed at knowledge transfer, particularly targeting the involvement of indigenous youths, ensuring job opportunities and the acquisition of valuable skills from the project.