Banishing blackouts in Kano, Katsina, Jigawa

However, it is in the power sector that a robust partnership with Turkey is yielding good results. The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) which is one of the 11 companies of the unbundled Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) recently engaged the Kayseri Electricity Distribution Company (KCETAS) Africa Limited as a technical partner and co-owner. […]

However, it is in the power sector that a robust partnership with Turkey is yielding good results. The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) which is one of the 11 companies of the unbundled Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) recently engaged the Kayseri Electricity Distribution Company (KCETAS) Africa Limited as a technical partner and co-owner. The implication is that Kano Electricity has the advantage of drawing from the wealth of technical expertise of Turkey with over 80 years of experience in electricity distribution.
Turkey has an efficient electricity system.  At the end of last year, Turkey, with a population of 76 million people, has installed generation capacity of 62,000mw. This is expected to reach 120,000 MW in 2023, by which time it expects to be the top 10 economies of the world. 20,000mw will be generated by wind farms alone in that period.
A turning point was recorded when a consortium of five companies came together to form the Sahelian power SPV Ltd in May 2012 with the sole aim of bidding for Kano Electricity Distribution Company after invitation for bids  was  sent out by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to prospective investors .
They include the Sahelian Energy and Integrated Services Ltd (SEIS); Kayseri Ve Civari Elektric T.A.S (KCETAS); Dantata Investment and Securities Company Ltd; INCAR power Ltd and Highland Electricity Limited.  The Sahelian power SPV Ltd had won the bid and has emerged as the core investor.
 The processes were completed and the new owners took possession last November, opening a new era of hope that the perennial power challenges in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, which KEDCO covers, will soon be a thing a thing of the past.
Last week, KEDCO’s managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, and KCETAS team led by Dr Hidayet Atasoy, the General Director, went into a huddle to plan the strategy to achieve that goal.   
KEDCO has the largest customer-base among its peers, and the largest economic potentials in the entire north.
  The coming of the Turks promises to change the power story in this part of the country.

 Mukhtar Baffa Usman, AGM Public Affairs, Kano Electricity Distribution Company