Stakeholders in the power sector have said that unlocking Enugu coalfields remains a realistic and strategic pathway to energy independence, industrial revival, and economic transformation in the South-East region.

They resolved that the Enugu coalfields should be urgently revitalised using modern, clean technologies, while a 300–350MW pilot coal power project should be launched.

The stakeholders, who spoke at the South-East Electricity Summit, organised by Njiko Igbo in Enugu, also advocated a regional electricity development strategy to boost the zone’s economy.

Speaking on the theme “Unlocking Enugu, Nigeria coal fields: A strategic pathway to 24/7 electricity supply to Enugu State and the South-East,” a former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, stated that Nigeria’s persistent electricity deficit remains a major constraint to industrialisation and socio-economic development, despite abundant fossil and renewable energy resources.

He stated that electricity remains the backbone of economic growth, lamenting, however, that Nigeria has continued to struggle with unstable power supply, with generation often fluctuating far below national demand.

Nebo stated that the revitalisation and responsible exploitation of Enugu coalfields, among others, present a practical, scalable, and transformative pathway to achieving 24/7 electricity supply in the country.

He said: “Enugu, historically known as the Coal City, once served as Nigeria’s energy backbone, with coal discovered in 1909 powering early industries, railways, and electricity systems.

“The region possesses vast coal reserves in Ogbete, Iva Valley, Onyeama, and Okpara, while Nigeria holds over 639 million tonnes of proven coal reserves and approximately 2.75 billion tonnes of deposits.

“Coal offers base load power generation, capable of delivering uninterrupted electricity, unlike intermittent sources such as solar and seasonal hydro.

“One tonne of coal can generate approximately 2,000–2,500 kilowatts of electricity, with the potential to sustain over 1,000MW of power generation for decades.”

Turning to the South-East region, he observed that the zone currently faces challenges, including unstable grid supply, heavy reliance on diesel generators, high energy costs for SMEs, and limited industrial growth, and said the region should integrate coal power into its regional industrial policy.