Bayelsa State government has announced that upon the completion of the installation of its current gas turbine projects the state would be able to export power throughout Nigeria, media reported. By December 2009, the state would be capable of exporting electricity to other states once its Etelebou Gas Turbine and Imiringi Gas Turbine are totally operational. However, a barrier to the project would be the distribution problem which comes under the purview of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.
Maxwell Oko, the state commissioner for energy, said “For us, the target is to provide the energy security that will produce the economic and social development that we require. Energy security is what we need and not the talk about militancy. We are blessed with the adequate energy resources that are the key to development. The Imiringi gas turbine alone would generate 110 megawatts while the Etelebou gas turbine is to generate another 20 megawatts.”
Oko added “These are independent power projects that will increase internally generated revenue and create employment for thousands of people. By December 2009, Bayelsa will have the capability to export power.”