The United States (U.S) Consul-General, Will Stevens and the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday held a handover ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Lagos State Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) aimed at bolstering the overall energy security for residents.
The Integrated Resource Plan will improve sector planning and coordination to provide stable and sustainable energy to all citizens and businesses. The plan will outline resource development plans for the next 20 years to meet the long-term electricity needs of the state’s residents, businesses, industries, and public/government premises such as hospitals and health clinics. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Programme, in partnership with the Government of Lagos State developed the plan.
“The U.S. government is committed to expanding and supporting the modernisation of Lagos’s energy sector, building a foundation for broad and inclusive economic and social development. This Integrated Resource Plan is a concrete testament to the partnership between the United States and Lagos State as we both work together to create a sustainable and equitable future,” explained U.S. Consul General to Lagos, Stevens.
He assured that the U.S. government, USAID and Power Africa will continue to collaborate with Lagos State to implement the plan to further support power sector planning and coordination and provide guidance to stakeholders on Lagos State power system development requirements.
Stevens further noted that access to a stable and sustainable energy supply is critical for the long-term, sustainable development of more than 15 million residents of Lagos State. As the most populous in Nigeria, Lagos State has a predicted increase in peak electricity demand by as much as 400 percent by 2040. The Integrated Resource Plan serves as a roadmap and blueprint to improve sector planning and coordination while providing guidance on Lagos State energy development requirements to stakeholders, including federal and state agencies, regulators, power generators, electricity transmitters and distributors, investors, and consumers.
