The Enugu State Government has announced plans to commence work on a 660-megawatt coal-fired power plant in July, a major step in its efforts to expand electricity supply and attract investment into the state.
Governor Peter Mbah disclosed the development during a meeting with members of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria in Enugu. He said the project aligns with the administration’s broader economic agenda aimed at significantly growing the state’s economy in the coming years.
According to the governor, the power plant is expected to be completed within about 24 months after construction begins. He expressed optimism that the facility would help improve electricity reliability for both businesses and households, while also reducing energy costs in the state.
Mbah noted that Enugu had already established a state electricity market following recent constitutional and energy sector reforms that now allow subnational governments to participate in power generation, transmission, and distribution. He said the coal project represents a further step toward local power production rather than reliance on external sources.
He also defended the use of coal for the project, pointing to what he described as the high quality of deposits in the state, particularly their low sulfur content and strong energy value. He argued that instead of exporting raw coal, the state would benefit more by using it for local power generation.
Beyond the energy project, the governor highlighted other initiatives his administration is pursuing, including improvements in security, investment facilitation systems, technology development, and partnerships aimed at building capacity in artificial intelligence.
Business leaders under the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), which includes groups such as the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), and the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), expressed support for the administration.
They praised ongoing infrastructure upgrades, improved security, and policies they say have strengthened investor confidence in the state. The group also encouraged the government to sustain efforts in areas such as taxation, access to land, and financing support for small and medium-sized businesses.
Stakeholders at the meeting described the state’s current direction as positive for economic growth, noting that continued collaboration between the government and private sector would be key to sustaining development momentum in Enugu.
