As part of its effort in improving power supply in the state, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has assured that the state is doubling its effort in meeting the current electricity demand by year 2020.

El-Rufai disclosed this in his keynote address at the 5th Annual Powering Africa: Nigeria Investment Summit, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on Thursday.

The Governor who was represented at the event by the Managing Director of the Kaduna Power Supply Company, Dr Abdulkarim Mayere, admitted that his administration had provided enabling environment for prospective investors to come and partner with the government.

While noting that effective security and sustainable policies have been put in place to ensure electricity self sufficiency by 2020, he disclosed that Kaduna State’s current energy demand stands at 538 megawatts, while the current allocation is 196 megawatts.

“Now we are having a deficit of 342 megawatt of power supply which is hampering the power development of the state.”

Mayere averred that the state has the largest solar power base in Nigeria with 500 megawatts per square meter and “we are ready to explore this opportunity to turn around the state and make life easier for the residents.”

He further added that Kaduna State has signed MoU with some power sector investors to get access to land, infrastructure, saying that by 2017, the state would set up Kaduna Energy Law that will regulate efficient usage and regular wastages.

•Photo shows Governor El-Rufai.

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