By By Micheal Chukwuebuka
ENUGU — The Enugu State Government has unveiled plans to build a 660MW coal-fired power plant, with construction set to begin in July this year, as part of Governor Peter Mbah’s strategy to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn.
The announcement came during a solidarity visit by the Organised Private Sector Nigeria (OPSN) to the Government House in Enugu on Wednesday. The OPSN — 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) — also endorsed the governor for a second term in office.
The private sector group said Mr Mbah, himself a former private sector player, had made them proud through outstanding leadership that had “strengthened confidence in Enugu as an emerging destination for investment, commerce, enterprise development, and living.”
Speaking at the event, Governor Mbah recalled that Enugu State was the first subnational to establish an electricity market following amendments to the Constitution and the Electricity Act, which effectively moved power from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List. This change, he said, now allows states to participate in generation, transmission, and distribution.
“But we have gone beyond just setting up the electricity market to now being interested in producing the electricity here,” Mr Mbah said. “I am pleased to inform you that in July we are going to be breaking ground for a 660MW coal-fired power plant.
“The outlay in terms of time for building the plant is 24 months. So, our target is to commission that power plant 24 months after the groundbreaking in July.
“What that simply means is that post-2027, you will not have your power go off in Enugu, whether for businesses or for residential. You are also going to have affordable electricity because it is going to be by far the cheapest in the country.”
The governor moved to address environmental concerns often associated with coal, pointing to the low sulphur content and high calorific value of Enugu coal, which stands at approximately 7,000 kilocalories per kilogramme.
“The interesting thing about our coal is that we have the best quality of coal in the world. Our sulphur content is less than 0.5 per cent. With 1 per cent you are happy, but this one is 0.5 per cent. The only country that comes close is Japan.
“So, instead of just exporting our coal, we are going to be benefiting from it by adding value, generating electricity with it,” he added.
Mr Mbah stressed that the project was not a knee-jerk decision. He said his administration had spent nearly two years carrying out necessary studies and securing coal assets to guarantee an uninterrupted supply to the plant.
The governor also listed other measures aimed at improving Enugu’s business environment, including investment in security, the establishment of a one-stop shop for prospective investors, the ongoing construction of a technology incubation centre, and a partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission to build an Artificial Intelligence Institute.
“In four years from now, AI will contribute $20trn to the global economy,” he said. “We just do not want Enugu State to miss out on such huge funds. We want to be at the epicentre, not just as consumers, but as producers.”
Earlier, the OPSN had formally endorsed the governor and called for improved power supply, alongside the sustained implementation of harmonised taxes and levies, better access to land, affordable financing, and technical support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Convener of OPSN Enugu and Chairman of NECA South East Zone, Dr Ugochukwu Chime, expressed satisfaction with the Mbah administration, citing security, improved infrastructure, transportation, hospitality, social services, and other business enablers.
“We particularly commend your administration’s significant investments in security, because we all know that business only goes to secure and peaceful destinations, urban renewal, and city expansion developments,” Dr Chime said.
“The construction and rehabilitation of strategic road networks have improved mobility, enhanced access to commercial centres, and stimulated economic activities across the state.”
He added that Mr Mbah’s exploits had made it imperative for more private sector players to enter politics.
“Organised Private Sector is particularly proud that you are one of its distinguished products,” Dr Chime said. “Your private sector background, where practical and common-sense decisions prevail, has enabled you to appreciate the critical role of businesses in economic growth, job creation, and improved welfare of the people.”
Other speakers — including Dr Ifeanyi Okoye of NECA; founder of Peace Group of Companies, Dr Maduka Onyishi; ECCIMA President, Engr Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe; ECCIMA Vice President, Princess Egbo; and Chairman of Wilson Group, Chief William Agbo — praised the governor for transforming Enugu into a hub for business and investment.
Several members took the opportunity to present a range of made-in-Enugu products to the governor.
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