Enugu State Government says it has secured a $200 million investment for a proposed 100MW solar power programme, as Governor Peter Mbah pushes for affordable electricity tariffs and faster project delivery.
Enugu State Government has announced a $200 million investment for a proposed 100-megawatt (MW) solar power programme, as Governor Peter Mbah insists on affordable electricity tariffs and faster project implementation.
The investment, estimated at approximately ₦300 billion, was disclosed during a meeting between Mbah and a delegation from Eauxwell Nigeria Limited, led by its Managing Director, Edwin Enwegbara, at Government House, Enugu.
The proposed programme is expected to expand electricity supply across the state through distributed solar generation backed by battery storage, with the aim of providing more reliable power to households, businesses and productive enterprises.
The investment engagement was facilitated through the state’s Climate and Development Investment Platform (CDIP), coordinated by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate and Sustainable Development, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke.
According to the state government, the deal represents the first major investment breakthrough facilitated by the platform, which was established to connect investors with government institutions, regulatory agencies and communities.
Welcoming the investment, Mbah said attracting capital was not the administration’s only priority, stressing that the project must translate into reliable and affordable electricity for residents and businesses.
“We want an electricity market that encourages competition and gives consumers the benefit of competitive pricing,” the governor said.
He called for a review of the tariff assumptions and financial model presented by the investors, noting that the project must balance investors’ need to recover costs with consumers’ ability to pay.
“Cost recovery is important, but we must also ensure that the tariff is affordable to our people and businesses,” he added.
The governor also called for a shorter implementation timeline and pledged the state government’s support in removing bureaucratic and institutional obstacles that could delay the project.
Enwegbara acknowledged the need to balance commercial viability with affordability, explaining that the final electricity tariff would be determined in consultation with the relevant regulatory authorities.
The proposed 100MW programme will deploy distributed solar power generation supported by battery storage to improve electricity reliability across communities and businesses.
The initiative is also expected to support economic activities that depend on a steady power supply, including agricultural processing, small businesses and other enterprises.
By expanding access to dependable electricity, the programme could help businesses manage operating costs, sustain production and improve service delivery, subject to the project’s implementation and final tariff arrangements.
The investment discussion comes as Enugu continues to pursue electricity-sector reforms and strengthen regulatory oversight of its intrastate electricity market.
The Mbah administration has said it wants to establish a competitive electricity market capable of attracting private investment while improving electricity access and affordability.
Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme at the Rural Electrification Agency, joined the meeting virtually and explained the structure, objectives and implementation processes of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme.
The meeting also addressed a separate electrification project in Aninri Local Government Area, where land-related issues have affected progress.
Following the discussions, Mbah requested an urgent meeting with the community’s President-General and traditional ruler to resolve the outstanding concerns and facilitate the commencement of the project.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the CDIP Steering Committee, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze; Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu; Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo; and Commissioner for Lands, Barr. Chimaobi Okorie.
Also present were the Special Advisers to the Governor on Project Delivery and Power, Ozurumba Afigbo and Joe Aneke, respectively, and the Chairman of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Chijioke Okonkwo.
Members of the Eauxwell delegation included Director of Business Development, Kingsley Okenyi; Head of Project Management, Lazarus Agu; and Project Engineer, Victoria John.
The state government says the solar investment is part of its broader effort to attract private capital, improve electricity supply and build an energy market that supports economic growth while keeping power affordable for consumers.
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