UKPA Energy $35m power plant to support manufacturers in Ogun

Manufacturers in Sango-Ota, Igbesa-Agbara industrial hubs of Ogun state could heave sigh of relieve soon, as UKPA Energy Company Limited proposes a $35 million independent power plant to supply energy for manufacturing activities in the area.

UKPA Energy Company Limited, being the 9th independent power plant to be sited in the state, is bringing in best world technology in power generation and distribution using garbage to produce refuse-derived fuel to power proposed 10MW independent power plant that feeds manufacturing plants.

Speaking at the Stakeholders’ meeting with Ogun state government recently in Abeokuta, Ewie Aimienwauu, managing director, UKPA Energy Company Limited, declared that company planned to build and produce 18MW in the long run, but would start with 10 MW, using municipal waste to generate clean, green and renewable energy in partnership with the European energy consortium MK Management, Covata Incorporation and Hansa Green LLC.

Aimienwauu, who made a short presentation in presence of government team and some members of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Ogun state branch led by Motunrayo Elegberun, revealed the proposed Ogun State/UKPA energy initiative chose the State for the project, based on its emergence as investment destination of choice through various infrastructural projects and face lift by Ibikunle Amosun-led government.

He added that, this new technology has been adopted by most develop countries, including United Kingdom and Nigeria would be second African countries where waste-to-energy power generation technology would be adopted after Ethiopia, saying the project would be jointly be provided by both the State Government and his energy company.

Responding, the Consultant to the State Government on Energy, Taiwo Fagbemi, enjoined industrialists in the area to key into the project by cooperating with government for its realisation, saying they would benefit immensely, as it would offer a metering process and pay as you go platform for power distribution and usage.

Fagbemi added that the waste to energy project would reduce cost of power generation by the industries, which could be used for workers’ welfare, while it would also be a waste to wealth opportunity for the people in the State, noting that the project would improve business activities in the axis and help to develop infrastructure, as well as boosting government’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Also, Bimbo Ashiru, commissioner for Commerce and Industry, who hosted the energy experts and industrialists in his office, noted that meeting was conveyed to ensure due diligence in the whole process as the capacity and capability of the energy company would be determined before the process could kick start, explaining that sustainability of such power plant is key to economic development and gross domestic product growth.