The Federal Government says the full revival of the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, will add about 540 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid once operations resume.
The Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu made this known during a working visit to the ALSCON complex on Monday, where he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reconnecting the plant to the grid and completing the long-abandoned 330 kV substation in the area.
Adelabu described ALSCON as a “vital industrial asset” that has yet to deliver its full economic potential since its establishment 37 years ago, largely due to the absence of reliable power supply.
According to his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, the minister recalled that ALSCON was conceived in 1989 but only completed in 1998. Following the government’s 2006 privatisation exercise, it was taken over by the Aluminium Smelting Company of Russia.
“These huge investments have suffered from lack of power supply for decades,” Adelabu said. “We are aware of the plant’s immense potential to create jobs, supply raw materials for downstream aluminium companies, and save foreign exchange by reducing imports.”
He announced that the government, alongside stakeholders including the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), had agreed on both short- and medium-term plans to reconnect the plant.
“We have determined the short-term solution to connect ALSCON to the national grid and also agreed on a medium-term strategy. The company has the potential to supply 540MW to the grid when fully operational,” the minister said.
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ALSCON’s installed capacity comprises six turbines of 90MW each, all reportedly in good condition. Adelabu added that completing the 330/132 kV substation and transmission lines from Ikot Ekpene to Ikot Abasi would make it possible to evacuate the entire 540MW.
He further noted that the plant could even be expanded by an additional 120MW, bringing its total potential output to 660MW, if converted from an open to a combined circuit line.
Adelabu assured that the Ministry of Power would directly oversee completion of the substation and related infrastructure, promising that within 90 days, Nigerians would begin to feel the positive impact of the project.
He emphasised that ALSCON’s revival would boost national power generation, create up to 15,000 direct and indirect jobs, and stimulate economic growth across related industries.
Addressing concerns about gas supply, the minister said the challenge could be tackled through proper pricing mechanisms.
In his remarks, ALSCON’s Development Adviser, Viacheslav Krylov, said the company planned to reach a full production capacity of 200,000 metric tonnes within six years but stressed the need for stable power supply and improved grid connection.
“The current energy options are inadequate to restart the plant,” Krylov said. “We need a dedicated backup power source and enhanced grid stability to ensure long-term sustainability.”
Adelabu reaffirmed the government’s resolve to provide electricity to most Nigerians by 2030, aligning with the Vision 2030 goals under the Tanzania Declaration.
When completed, the project is expected to mark a major step forward in Nigeria’s industrial and energy sectors.
