Onome Amuge
The long-standing dependence on costly and environmentally damaging self-generated electricity by manufacturers in Aba and its environs may finally be coming to an end, according to Ugo Opiegbe, managing director of Aba Power Electric Ltd, Nigeria’s 12th electricity distribution company (DisCo).
In a recent interview with journalists, Opiegbe argued that the era of captive plants, private power generation units installed by companies to guarantee electricity, has effectively become obsolete in the industrial city. Aba Power now provides consistent, high-quality electricity across its coverage area, which spans nine of Abia State’s 17 local government areas.
“Two weeks ago, we marked the 60th consecutive day of uninterrupted power supply in the Aba Ring-fenced Area. This was made possible by steady natural gas supply from our partner, Heirs Energies, which operates the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)/Heirs Energies joint venture,” Opiegbe said.
He noted a brief interruption in supply due to a technical issue at a gas facility, but added that it was quickly resolved. “This demonstrates that Nigerian firms, like Heirs Energies, are increasingly able to compete with international oil companies, which is a win for both businesses and the Nigerian populace,” he said.
The development has significant economic implications for manufacturers. Many companies, including European multinationals such as PZ Cussons, have historically relied on self-generation to maintain operations, incurring substantial costs on diesel, compressed natural gas, and generator maintenance. With Aba Power’s reliable grid, those expenses are now being drastically reduced.
“European manufacturing companies that source electricity from our network have recorded a substantial reduction in operational costs because they practically no longer rely on self-generation,” Opiegbe said. He noted that prior plans by some companies to build captive plants in Aba were based on historical power unreliability, decisions made before the commissioning of the 188-megawatt Geometric Power gas-fired plant in Osisioma Industrial Layout.
Beyond economics, the shift to a stable electricity supply carries notable environmental benefits. Aba, a major industrial hub, was previously plagued by noise and air pollution from the constant operation of generators across homes, businesses, hospitals, laboratories, and educational institutions.
“Environmental pollution in Aba was significant. Thousands of generators contributed to noise pollution and emissions that depleted the ozone layer. With constant and quality electricity from Aba Power, those generators have largely gone silent,” Opiegbe explained.
Opiegbe also highlighted the potential irony if multinational companies in Nigeria were to continue practices that exacerbate environmental degradation. “Many European nations, including Holland and Germany, are global leaders in environmental protection. It would be ironic for European manufacturers in Nigeria to contribute to pollution that they campaign against at home,” he said.
