Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power has announced that the federal government has begun discussions to connect excess power generated from the 84-megawatt (MW) Genesis Energy Plant at the Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State to the national grid.
Adelabu, who disclosed this during a facility tour of the Genesis Energy Power Plant, noted that the initiative will boost power supply reliability and strengthen generation capacity across the country.
Adelabu said the move aligns with the government’s ongoing power sector reforms aimed at improving efficiency and expanding grid supply through strategic private sector partnerships.
“My visit is to fast-track the process of feeding the excess power from this facility into the grid. Within 90 to 180 days, we should conclude the infrastructure and commercial agreements necessary for that to happen,” the minister stated.
He explained that the collaboration between Genesis Energy and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) represents an important milestone in public-private cooperation for national energy sufficiency.
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The minister commended Genesis Energy for maintaining impressive operational standards, describing its model as one that demonstrates the capacity of private players to drive reliability and performance in the sector.
“I’m impressed by what I’ve seen. The facilities are well-maintained, and performance has been excellent. This plant is a proof of concept for private-sector-led power generation,” Adelabu said.
He added that once the integration into the grid is completed, the company’s planned expansion of an additional 120MW will further enhance supply to Port Harcourt and other parts of the country.
Adelabu reiterated that the federal government’s priority is to create a business-friendly environment where private investors can thrive and recover their investments.
“Our role as government is to make the environment conducive for investors to operate. They must be confident that their investments are safe and recoverable,” he said.
He noted that the recently launched National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP) provides a clear framework for investors, ensuring consistency, transparency, and regulatory stability in the power sector.
“The NIEP clearly defines the roles of all stakeholders and provides clarity for investors. It is the first comprehensive policy in two decades and serves as a guide for sustainable participation,” he said.
Adelabu stated that private capital remains essential to Nigeria’s energy transformation, saying the government alone cannot shoulder the massive investment required.
“The investment needed in the power sector is too huge for the government alone. We are doing everything possible to attract investors to ensure industries, businesses, and households enjoy reliable electricity,” he stated.
The Genesis Energy project, commissioned in 2014, operates three GE TM2500+ gas turbines dedicated to powering the NNPC Port Harcourt Refinery. The facility guarantees steady refining operations and has achieved over 99 per cent availability with zero Loss Time Injury (LTI) since inception.
