…As Benue flags off 90MW waste-to-energy plant
By Charles Ebi, Abuja and Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Transmission Company of Nigeria has announced a planned outage on the Benin–Ajaokuta 330kV transmission line to allow for ongoing restringing works at the Ihovbor Power Plant Turn-In/Turn-Out Transmission Substation.
In a statement signed by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager of Public Affairs, the company said the project began on Friday, February 27, 2026, and is scheduled to continue until Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The work will take place daily between 8:00am and 6:00pm.
According to the company, the temporary shutdown is required to enable its contractor to proceed with the restringing of the 330kV transmission line connected to the Ihovbor Power Plant.
As a result of the exercise, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company will be unable to supply electricity to customers in UNIBEN, Oluku, Egba, and the Ihovbor areas for up to 10 hours each day during the construction period.
“Benin Electricity Distribution Company ,BEDC, will be unable to supply electricity to its customers in UNIBEN, Oluku, Egba, and Ihovbor environs for up to 10 hours each day during the construction period”, the statement read.
TCN explained that the project will also involve temporary power interruptions because sections of the transmission line cross major highways along the Benin–Ajaokuta corridor. It added that road safety agencies have been informed and will be on standby to ensure the safety of motorists and residents throughout the exercise.
The company clarified that restringing activities will be suspended daily at 6:00pm, after which the affected feeders will be restored. This arrangement will enable BEDC to supply electricity to the impacted areas from 6:00pm to 8:00am the following day.
TCN apologised for the inconvenience the scheduled outage may cause and assured customers that full bulk power supply to the distribution company will resume once the project is completed.
The current nationwide power outages experienced across Nigeria are mainly due to inadequate gas supply to thermal electricity generation plants, according to the Nigerian Independent System Operator ,NISO.
The grid operator said average available power generation has fallen to about 4,300 megawatts, a figure significantly below the country’s installed capacity. Thermal stations require roughly 1,629.75 mmscf of gas daily, but are receiving only less than 43% of what is needed.
NISO explained that the shortfall is largely due to fuel constraints affecting gas-fired plants that supply the bulk of electricity to the national grid. The shortfall, which began after maintenance by the NNNPC and Seplat Energy, reportedly forced load shedding nationwide.
Meanwhile, Benue State Government has launched a 90-megawatts waste-to-energy project aimed at converting municipal and industrial solid waste into electricity and industrial by-products, in what officials describe as a major boost to the state’s power and environmental infrastructure.
The facility, located at Atumba village in Guma Local Government Area, is being developed through a Public-Private Partnership between the state government and Sector lead Limited.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia said the project would transform waste streams into electricity, alternative fuels, bio-fertilizer, methane-based products and recyclable materials.
“This facility will deliver long-term environmental, industrial and energy transformation for Benue State”, he stated. “We are turning a waste management challenge into a sustainable economic opportunity”.
According to the Governor, the 90MW plant is projected to generate over 6,000 direct and indirect jobs, while introducing international technical expertise into the state’s infrastructure ecosystem.
“The project will improve energy reliability, reduce power deficits, stimulate investment in energy-dependent sectors and enhance public health outcomes”, Alia said. “It demonstrates clearly that Benue is open and ready for business”.
The additional generation capacity could significantly ease local electricity supply constraints and attract agro-processing and manufacturing investments, critical to Benue’s economic diversification strategy.
The Governor represented by his deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, emphasized that the project directly supports his administration’s Public-Private Partnership framework, designed to accelerate infrastructure delivery without overburdening public finances.
He called on the host community and stakeholders across the state to support the initiative.
“We urge the people of Atumba and the entire sons and daughters of Benue to take ownership of this project. It belongs to you and represents our shared future”, he said.
The project places Benue among subnational governments exploring innovative energy solutions that combine environmental sustainability with power generation, positioning the state as a potential model for integrated waste management and clean energy development in Nigeria.
