In a development aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s energy infrastructure, the World Bank has restructured a $350 million loan to the country. This restructuring is specifically focused on ensuring the completion of seven critical power plants within educational institutions, a key component of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP).

The project, which has faced various delays, has now been granted an extension, with the new deadline set for December 31, 2024. The development comes when Nigerian universities are grappling with high electricity bills, due to the newly-introduced high tariff for Band A consumers.

The Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) was initially approved on June 27, 2018, with a broad mandate to increase access to electricity services for households, public institutions, and underserved micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The project’s overarching goal is to address Nigeria’s significant energy access gap, which has been a major bottleneck for economic growth and development.

Project Challenges and Restructuring

Despite significant progress, the NEP has encountered several challenges that have delayed the completion of the seven power plants, which are integral to the project’s success. These challenges include geotechnical issues, community disturbances, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restructuring document states: “To ensure the delivery of all 7 power plants as per the original scope of work, including unforeseen but necessary additional tasks, the project closing date would need to be extended by an additional 5 months to December 31, 2024.”

The new timeline anticipates the completion of all seven plants by the end of the third quarter of 2024, with specific focus areas including Maiduguri and Calabar, where sub-projects are expected to be finalized by the end of September 2024.

The final quarter of the year will focus on site handover and the implementation of a sustainability plan, during which Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors are expected to provide performance guarantees to cover operational and maintenance periods.

Project Overview and Achievements

The NEP is structured around several key components, including the development of private-sector mini-grids, the expansion of standalone solar systems for vulnerable households, and the provision of sustainable power to public universities and associated teaching hospitals. As of June 2024, the project had successfully connected nearly 59,000 households and MSMEs through mini-grid grants and approximately 1.09 million households and MSMEs via standalone solar systems.

However, Component 3 of the project, which involves the Energizing Education Program Phase II (EEP II), has lagged, with completion levels ranging from 35% to 80% across various sites. This component aims to provide reliable electricity to universities and teaching hospitals, which are critical for the nation’s educational and healthcare infrastructure.

The total commitment for the NEP is $350 million, with $265.32 million already disbursed and an undisbursed balance of $84.68 million remaining. This funding is crucial for addressing the existing challenges and completing the planned infrastructure.

Progress and Challenges at Each Power Plant

1. University of Abuja: The power plant project here is 65% completed. Challenges include rocky ground requiring alternate anchorage methods, uneven surfaces causing inter-row shading, and deteriorated access roads. Additional work involves drilling and casting footings for anchorage, building retaining walls, and constructing a 1.4 km access road.
2. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike: This project is 85% completed, but has faced issues with the materials used for the transmission line, which did not comply with regulatory standards. The necessary work includes replacing 12.6 km of aluminum conductor with an aluminum conductor steel-reinforced line.
3. University of Calabar & Teaching Hospital: With 65% completion, this site has challenges such as a collapsed drainage network causing flooding, debris collection areas from floodwaters, and unsuitable soil for pile-driving. Additional work includes constructing new drainage channels, reclaiming flood-affected areas, and casting footings for anchorage.
4. University of Maiduguri & Teaching Hospital: This project is at 79% completion. Challenges include a refuse dump site, a military-grade trench, unsuitable soil for civil structures, and the takeover of an 11 kV line. Additional work involves reclaiming and backfilling the refuse dump area, backfilling the military trench, and constructing a double-circuit transmission line.
5. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta: With 90% completion, challenges include the removal of basement igneous rock formation, an extended drainage discharge point, and right-of-way encroachment. Additional work requires extending the drainage channel and underground cabling of the transmission line.
6. Federal University, Gashua: The downstream distribution network is fully completed. However, rapid university expansion and increased electricity demand necessitate constructing an additional 8.7 km of the 11 kV distribution network.
7. Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna: At only 15% completion for the upstream distribution network, challenges include a vandalized transmission line and the need for additional single-circuit infrastructure. The project requires replacing the vandalized 33 kV double circuit and constructing a 16 km 33 kV single circuit transmission line.

Impact on Nigeria’s Energy Infrastructure

The restructuring and extension of the NEP are crucial steps towards overcoming these challenges and ensuring the project’s successful completion. The completion of these power plants is expected to significantly enhance the reliability and availability of electricity in the respective educational institutions, supporting the academic and healthcare needs of thousands of students and staff.

Moreover, the successful implementation of the NEP will contribute to Nigeria’s broader energy infrastructure goals, including increasing access to electricity for underserved populations and supporting economic growth through improved energy services. The project’s focus on sustainable energy solutions, such as mini-grids and standalone solar systems, aligns with global efforts to transition towards cleaner and more resilient energy systems.