According to local media, the hydropower project planned in the Kaduna State in Nigeria has been approved. The news came right after the country has entered into an energy crisis from shortages of gas, resulting in four power plants getting shut down.

The dam project built for the purpose of water supply, has now been reevaluated to show potential for harnessing hydroenergy and producing electricity. Most of the country's power generating capacity comes from thermal plants which burn gas, so there is a need for diversification in the energy sector in order to ensure a more secure supply of electricity in the coming years.

In this context, Nigeria is pursuing several power projects including wind, natural gas, as well as the National Integrated Power Projects, all totalling in about 1345 MW of power generating capacity. The country's goal is to reach the target of 6000 MW no later than March this year.

[source: Afrol]