Nigeria has fully commissioned the 700 MW Zungeru hydropower project on the upper and middle reaches of Kaduna River in the Niger State (North Central Nigeria). With its four 175 MW hydroelectric turbines, Zungeru will generate 2.6 TWh/year.
The hydropower project was built by a Chinese consortium comprising China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC) and Sinohydro. A preferential loan facility from the Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) of China covered 75% of the plant cost, which has been reported at US$1.3bn (remaining part financed by the Federal Government of Nigeria). Construction started in 2013. In February 2023, the Nigerian National Council on Privatisation (NCP) selected MESL as the preferred bidder for the concession of the project at a cost of US$70m/year for a period of 30 years. MESL, a local energy firm, is one of the largest power generation companies in the country, with a market share of 17% in 2022.
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