Residents of Benin City are celebrating the opening of power supply from the 55MW CCETC-Ossiomo Independent Power Plant, which commenced power supply in the state capital, environs, including the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The development is believed to have opened up the electricity market in Edo State, and ready to drive industrial and commercial growth of small and medium enterprises, as well as investors to the state.
Commenting on the commencement of power supply from the plant, the special adviser to the governor on media and communication strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said that energy supply from the plant in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area has set the state on a path to becoming a hub for high-impact industries that require stable power to perform optimally.
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“The Edo state government is excited to announce that the 55MW CCETC-Ossiomo IPP has commenced power supply in the state with the lighting up of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. This is a major feat.
“The power purchase agreement (PPA) between the government and investors has effectively kicked off, setting off a ripple effect that will see the influx of power-intensive industries into Edo state,” the governor’s aide said in a statement yesterday.
He confirmed that beside the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the Purchase Power Agreement covers the lighting up of the Edo State Secretariat on Sapele Road, government hospitals, street lights, industrial clusters, and other critical public assets. Private individuals, businesses and industries are also eligible to buy power from Ossiomo IPP, he explained.
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“With the development, power consumers in the state now have alternative power sources, with two operating power distribution companies, who would compete and provide a conducive environment for business owners and other investors to make decisions based on quality of services rendered,” the statement said.
The Ossiomo IPP has the willing-buyer-willing-seller arrangement with government and other private sector actors, who are willing to off-take electricity from the power companies.
“What this means is that private individuals and groups can off-take electricity for their businesses and other concerns from the 55MW CCETC-Ossiomo plant project. The project is designed to encourage a vibrant private sector in the state.
By Chibisi Ohakah, Abuja
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