The Peter Mbah administration has announced plans to commence construction of a 660-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Enugu State by July 2026, as part of efforts to boost industrialisation and expand the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
Governor Mbah disclosed the development during a solidarity visit by the Organised Private Sector Nigeria (OPSN) at the Government House in Enugu.
According to the governor, the project is expected to be completed within 24 months after groundbreaking, with the target of commissioning the plant two years after construction begins.
Mbah noted that Enugu State had already positioned itself as a pioneer in Nigeria’s evolving electricity sector by becoming the first subnational government to establish its own electricity market following recent constitutional and electricity reforms.
He explained that the coal-powered project followed nearly two years of feasibility studies and acquisition of coal assets to ensure stable fuel supply for the plant.
Addressing environmental concerns often linked to coal energy, the governor stated that Enugu coal possesses low sulfur content and a high calorific value of about 7,000 kilocalories per kilogramme, making it more suitable for power generation.
Meanwhile, members of the OPSN — including NECA, MAN, NASSI, NASME, and ECCIMA — praised the governor’s leadership and endorsed him for a second term, citing improvements in investment confidence and economic development in the state.
