The European Union announced on Monday that it is exploring the possibility of establishing a hydropower generation site at Asso Falls in Plateau State.
This was revealed by the Head of Green and Digital Economy, Inga Stefanowicz,
at the EU Delegation to the state to assess the Asso falls.
The hydropower project, expected to generate 2MW of electricity, is part of the EU’s commitment to partnering with Plateau State to provide clean, safe, and affordable renewable energy. The initiative aims to support sustainable agricultural practices, industries, tourism, and boost the state’s economy.
Stefanowicz stressed the importance of working with the Federal Ministry of Power to incorporate the project into Nigeria’s broader electricity market development, according to an EU statement.
“With electricity generation, we will have agriculture, industry, and tourism. That’s a very good combination,” Stefanowicz said.
She also revealed that the EU is collaborating with the Plateau State government and other stakeholders to assess the technical, financial, and environmental feasibility of the hydropower project.
“Plateau State, with its rich agricultural potential, could benefit greatly from reliable energy, boosting crop production and agro-processing,” she added.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Plateau State Energy Corporation, Ponzing Gamde, said that the United Nations Industrial Development Organization is conducting a feasibility study to evaluate the potential capacity of the hydropower project.
“UNIDO is currently conducting a feasibility study here. They have done their preliminary data collection and will now come up with a design to know the potential capacity that can be generated from here,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Programme Manager, Energy, and Circular Economy, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Godfrey Ogbemudia, Ogbemudia reiterated the EU’s commitment to sustainability, emphasizing,
“We want to be sure that EU taxpayers’ money is fully utilised. It’s not a donation. You could transport all the power from here to any other agricultural hub where pre-processing is happening.”
