Bayelsa Needs More Power Capacity for Industrialisation — Ambakederimo

Mr Joseph Ambakederimo, Convener of the South-South Development Group, has urged the Bayelsa State Government to begin planning for electricity generation capacity beyond its current 60-megawatt output, as businesses and industries return to the state.

Ambakederimo made the call at a roundtable themed "Bayelsa Power Infrastructure and Its Value Chain Objectives," held to mark the state's 30th statehood anniversary.

He described the state's 60-megawatt gas turbine as a significant step toward reliable electricity supply, but warned that the capacity would fall short of future demand if not expanded. "Without power, you cannot industrialise. Power is everything," he said.

He urged the government and other stakeholders to begin planning immediately for additional generation capacity rather than waiting until demand outstrips existing infrastructure, arguing that reliable electricity would attract private investment, drive industrialisation, create jobs and improve residents' quality of life.

Ambakederimo noted that the Electricity Act 2023 had opened up opportunities for states to develop their own electricity markets and draw in private capital. He said Bayelsa needed to strengthen its entire electricity value chain—covering gas supply, generation, transmission, distribution, metering and renewable energy—while also fostering a stable regulatory environment that reduces investor risk and encourages private-sector participation.

He said the state's abundant gas resources presented a genuine opportunity to build a sustainable power economy, provided stakeholders ensured the resources were put to effective use. The roundtable, he added, was convened to push discussions beyond policy toward practical solutions for reliable, sustainable electricity supply.

The Director-General of the Bayelsa Electricity Regulatory Agency (BYERA), Dr Roseline Dressman, assured consumers that electricity from the state's emerging market would be cheaper than power drawn from the national grid. "The good news I have for you here is that it will not be as expensive as the electricity from the national grid," she said, while urging consumers to pay their bills regularly to help sustain gas supply and power generation in the state.

Dressman said Bayelsa had enjoyed improved electricity supply for more than three months, with some areas receiving nearly 20 hours of power daily. She acknowledged, however, that the 60MW turbine remained insufficient to meet the state's electricity needs, disclosing that BYERA was currently processing about 13 mini-grid proposals.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, said reliable electricity would encourage businesses to return to the state and boost productivity.

Mr Stephen Bubagha, Director of Operations at the Bayelsa Electricity Company, said the state must invest in transmission and distribution infrastructure to fully maximise the benefits of its generation capacity, warning that the 60MW plant could soon become inadequate as improved power supply draws more industries and businesses to Bayelsa.

Energy finance expert Mr Ebi Clark said the state needed reliable consumer data and a coordinated project pipeline to attract investors into its emerging electricity market, while Prof. Francis Sikoki of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, urged universities and private investors to explore opportunities in solar-panel manufacturing, energy storage and smart metering.

The panellists at the roundtable identified reliable electricity supply, infrastructure development, investment and effective regulation as critical pillars for Bayelsa's industrialisation drive.