UMUAHIA — Abia State is pushing for energy independence as the 1,074MW Alaoji Power Plant returns to life after a 3-year shutdown, with Governor Alex Otti moving to wheel electricity directly to Umuahia and beyond.
What’s happening:
Plant restored: NDPHC MD Jennifer Adighije confirmed 3 generating units at Alaoji are back online, with 375MW now available for dispatch to the national grid.
Why it shut down: The plant was idle since 2023 over gas metering disputes and debts to TotalEnergies. Those have now been resolved.
Otti’s play: Abia has signed an agreement with EEDC to acquire distribution assets from Umuahia to Arochukwu and Umunneochi. The state is at the “payment stage” and plans to set up the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency. e28a
The goal:
Gov. Otti called direct wheeling from Alaoji to Umuahia “a low-hanging fruit” to rapidly transform economic activity. He says Alaoji could eventually scale to 800MW, then 1,100MW. e28a00db
Bigger picture:
Abia already commissioned the 188MW Geometric Power Plant in Aba. Otti says if Geometric adds a planned 125MW turbine, it can cover Umuahia’s 100MW demand too. The state is also investing in renewables and mini-grids for a diversified energy mix. 6c50e28a
Abia is positioning to detach from the national grid and run on independent power.
