The Enugu State Government has unveiled plans to construct a 660-megawatt coal-fired power plant starting from July to boost electricity supply in the state.
Governor Peter Mbah made the disclosure during a solidarity visit by the Organised Private Sector Nigeria (OPSN), Enugu State chapter, at the Government House on Wednesday.
The OPSN is an umbrella body comprising the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), and the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA).
The group also endorsed Governor Mbah for a second term in office.
Mbah recalled that Enugu State was the first sub-national to establish an electricity market following the constitutional and Electricity Act amendments that moved power from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List.
This, he said, paved the way for states to participate across the entire power value chain — generation, transmission, and distribution.
“But we have gone beyond just setting up the electricity market. We are now interested in producing electricity here.
“I am pleased to inform you that in July, we will break ground for a 660MW coal-fired power plant.
“The construction timeline is 24 months, so our target is to commission the plant 24 months after the groundbreaking in July.
“What this means is that after 2027, power will no longer go off in Enugu, whether for businesses or residential use.
“You will also enjoy affordable electricity because it will be among the cheapest in the country,” he said.
The governor allayed concerns usually associated with coal, citing the low sulphur content and high calorific value of Enugu coal, which stands at about 7,000 kilocalories per kilogram.
“So, instead of just exporting our coal, we are going to add value to it by using it to generate electricity,” he said.
Mbah noted that the project was not a knee-jerk decision, as his administration had spent nearly two years conducting necessary studies and securing coal assets to guarantee steady supply to the plant.
He also highlighted investments in security, a one-stop shop for investors, a tech incubation centre, and a partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to establish an AI Institute as key steps to improve the state’s business environment.
Earlier, the Convener of OPSN Enugu and Chairman of NECA South East Zone, Dr. Ugochukwu Chime, expressed the group’s satisfaction with the Mbah administration.
He commended the governor for improvements in security, infrastructure, transportation, hospitality, social services, and other enablers of business and investment.
Chime particularly praised the construction and rehabilitation of strategic road networks, which have improved mobility, enhanced access to commercial centres, and stimulated economic activities across the state.
He added that Mbah’s performance had made it imperative for more private sector players to join politics.
“Organised Private Sector is particularly proud that you are one of its distinguished products. Your private sector background has enabled you to appreciate the critical role of businesses in economic growth, job creation, and improved welfare of the people,” he said.
Other speakers, including Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye of NECA, Dr. Maduka Onyishi of Peace Group of Companies, and ECCIMA President Mr. Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe, lauded Mbah for transforming Enugu into a centre for business and investment.
The members also presented several made-in-Enugu products to the governor.
