AKURE – In a landmark move toward total energy independence, the Ondo State Government has officially licensed two private firms, Ore Power Limited and ASB Valiant Electricity Limited, to generate and distribute electricity within the state.
The breakthrough, announced yesterday in Akure, comes just months after Ondo became the first state in Nigeria to formally assume regulatory oversight of its electricity market from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Powering the Industrial Hub
Under the new agreement, Ore Power Limited—a state-backed embedded generation firm—is tasked with delivering 100MW of electricity. The project specifically targets the industrial corridor of the Ore axis, a move expected to revitalize manufacturing and create thousands of jobs in the southern senatorial district.
To ensure this power reaches the end-users, ASB Valiant Electricity Limited has been licensed to develop an 18-kilometre Omotoso–Ore 33KV double-circuit line. This infrastructure is critical for the efficient evacuation and distribution of the generated power to households and businesses.
A Vision for Energy Sovereignty
Speaking on behalf of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. (Dr.) Johnson Alabi, described the licensing as a “deliberate masterstroke” to decouple the state from the instabilities of the national grid.
“Ondo State is no longer waiting for solutions; we are creating them,” Alabi stated. He credited the 2023 Electricity Act for empowering states to manage their own energy destinies.
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The Commissioner highlighted five key pillars of the state’s energy strategy:
- Subsidized Metering: Rollout of the ‘O’ Datiwa Meter’ to end estimated “crazy” billing.
- Judicial Enforcement: Three Special Electricity Courts to settle disputes and punish infrastructure sabotage.
- Statewide Grid: Development of an independent grid spanning the North, Central, and South districts.
- Asset Reclamation: The takeover of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) assets for state commercial use.
- Regulatory Independence: Strengthening the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (OSERB) to oversee all market operators.
Timeline for Light
The CEO of Ore Power Limited, Mr. Ayodele Ikumapayi, assured residents that the plant would begin supplying electricity within six months. He noted that while the initial focus is on the southern hub, expansion plans are already underway for the northern senatorial district.