Two of Nigeria’s major hydroelectric
power plants that draw water from the River Niger face the threat of
reduced water volume as the plan by Niger Republic to dam the upstream
section of the river continues to gather momentum.
The Kainji and Jebba power stations,
which have a combined installed capacity of 1,330 megawatts, draw water
from the River Niger to generate electricity, with Kainji having the
capacity to generate 760MW, while Jebba’s capacity is 570MW.
The World Bank said the average flows of
the river had declined sharply over the years with very low flows
during the low water season.
According to industry experts, the
construction of the Kandadji Dam by Niger Republic poses significant
risk to the power plants. The most important component of the Kandadji
project is the construction of a hydroelectric power plant, which is
expected to generate 130MWof electricity for the Nigeriens.
Last year, the World Bank, through its
lending arm, the International Development Association, increased its
funding for the project from $203m to $258m. Other financiers include
the Saudi Fund for Development, Islamic Development Bank, and the OPEC
Fund for International Development. The dam is expected to be completed
in 2017.
The Executive Director, Greenado
International Limited and a former Renewable Energy Manager, Bank of
Industry, Mr. Lawal Gada, said in a telephone interview with our
correspondent that once a dam was constructed on the upstream of a
river, it would affect the flow of water to the downstream negatively.
Gada said, “All the tributaries
(contributory streams to the river) from the end of Niger Republic will
be cut off and that is going to affect the volume of water that will be
available to power the Kainji and Jebba dams.
“There is a need for cordial
relationship between Nigeria and Niger Republic to conduct adequate
environmental impact assessment and come up with ways to mitigate the
negative effects before the project is embarked on; or even if it has
commenced, there is a need for review.”
The Head of Energy Research at Ecobank
Capital, Mr. Dolapo Oni, who noted that the project had been in the
works since 2003, said Nigeria had been trying to placate Niger Republic
with the supply of power to the country.
“However, in recent times, power supply
from Nigeria has dropped. Furthermore, Niger Republic is growing at a
faster pace. Thus it needs power. The World Bank has granted it
additional $55m so that the project will be built,” he said.
While noting that the base load of
Nigeria’s power supply still remained the Kainji and Jebba plants, Oni
said by damming the River Niger at Kandadji, Nigeria could see water
level fall at the plants, thereby reducing the quantum of power
generated.
He added, “I believe the decision to go
ahead with the project could also be reflective of the state of
diplomatic ties between both countries. Ethiopia’s 6,000MW Grand
Renaissance Dam is also being held up by Egypt and Sudan, who will be
affected if the Nile River is dammed. There are plans to strengthen
power exports in the region to ensure that the project is developed to
favour all parties.
“Thus, we could follow a similar
approach. If the dam will reduce power supply at our plants, then it
must be large enough to compensate for the shortfall in power generation
by supplying the excess capacity to Nigeria.”
The President, Council for Renewable
Energy, Nigeria, Chief Anita Okuribido, stressed the need for the
Federal Government to identify all the negative implications of the
project for the country and notify the Nigerien government
appropriately.
“Both countries should draw up a mutually beneficial programme,” she added.
The World Bank, in its Environmental and
Social Impact Assessment study and Environmental and Social Management
Plan of the Kandadji project, said it would reduce the hydroelectric
power generated in Kainji by 12.8 per cent and in Jebba by 15.7 per
cent, among other implications.
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