The federal government opened a 40-megawatt hydropower plant in Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State, on Friday.
Suleiman Hussaini Adamu, Minister for Water Resources, inaugurated the plant, saying the power project, which was an integral component of the Dadin-Kowa Dam, was completed and can generate 40 megawatts of electricity when connected to the national grid.
He stated that the Dadin-Kowa Multipurpose Dam was erected in 1988 with a reservoir capacity of 2.8 million cubic meters to offer irrigation for 6,000 hectares, 40 MW of energy, and 30,000 daily cubic meters to Gombe and its environs.
Adamu went on to say that in order to maximize the dam’s potential, the federal government inked a concession arrangement with Mabon Nigeria Limited to develop and build the 40-MW hydropower component.
The minister added that the hydropower component project was abandoned several times until President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration completed it.
“The power plant’s potential and socioeconomic impact cannot be overstated due to its enormous impact on the people of Gombe State and environs.”
“Among other things, the power station includes two 20 MW hydropower turbine generators, transmission stations, transformers, and a 123 KV switching station.”
“The plant will bring industrialization, promote the medium-scale industry, and create jobs in the surrounding area.” “Inspection testing and certification of the power plant’s units have already been completed, making the power ready for use,” he stated.
The hydroelectric project at the Dadin-Kowa dam, according to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, marks a significant turning point in the North East subregion’s journey toward energy independence.
