EU’s hydro power project to deliver 620kw

The European Union (EU) has said its hydropower project in Balanga dam, Gombe State will deliver renewable energy output of 620 kilowatts.

The EU-funded small hydropower project is scheduled for commissioning in March 2026.

With EU support, delivered in partnership with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Gombe State government, and other stakeholders, the facility is now being upgraded to generate 320 kilowatts of hydropower.

This will be complemented by an additional 300 kilowatts of solar PV, bringing total renewable energy output to 620 kilowatts.

The announcement came during an impact visit by officials from the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, who observed the dam’s transition from an underutilised irrigation facility to a multi-purpose hub for renewable energy and agriculture.

Constructed between 1979 and 1984 to support irrigation and water supply, the dam operated for decades with only its irrigation function in use.

Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation, Inga Stefanowicz said the initiative illustrates the value of strong partnerships.

Stefanowicz said: “The European Union’s support demonstrates how international collaboration can transform infrastructure into engines of growth and opportunity. Balanga is a model of sustainable development, bringing energy, jobs, and economic empowerment together in one integrated initiative.

“Gombe State has demonstrated remarkable commitment in securing co-funding and partnering effectively with the EU. This project is a blueprint for how governments and international partners can work together to deliver tangible results for communities.

“The initiative does not only generate electricity. It supports food processing, creates jobs, and strengthens local economies. That is the real power of sustainable development.

“The European Union’s commitment to Balanga is more than an investment in infrastructure. It is an investment in people. This project will deliver lasting benefits, transforming lives across Gombe State and serving as a model for sustainable development in Nigeria.”

The state Commissioner for Water, Environment, and Forest Resources, Mohammed Fawu, said: “For years, the dam was underutilised, but today it is a hub of activity. The project is creating employment opportunities, supporting livelihoods, and ensuring that the people of Gombe benefit directly from the resources in their communities.

“Balanga is about people; about giving youth opportunities to work, earn, and contribute to the prosperity of their communities. This is as much a human development project as it is an energy project.”

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According to the commissioner, the energy generated will primarily serve a proposed agro-processing zone to be located three kilometres from the dam.

Fawu said the zone will enable farmers to convert crops such as rice into finished products, expanding income opportunities and strengthening the agricultural value chain.

The commissioner added that the project also includes an expansion of irrigation canals, increasing the cultivable area from 2,200 hectares to nearly 11,000 hectares.

Also speaking, UNIDO Representative, Azubike Emechebe, said: “Through this initiative, youth and local communities are being empowered. The EU’s funding ensures productive use of energy, creating jobs, improving livelihoods, and enabling industries to grow.”

Programme Manager on Green and Circular Economy, Godfrey Ogbemudia, said the project will transforms Balanga from a quiet town into a hub of energy and opportunity.

Ogbemudia said: “Reliable electricity will power businesses, schools, and homes, improving the daily lives of residents. Balanga at night will no longer be a place of darkness. With consistent electricity, homes, businesses, and schools can function fully, and communities will thrive.”

Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler of the Waja Chiefdom, HRH Mohammed Danjuma Muhammad, assured the visiting delegation of the community’s strong ownership and commitment to safeguarding the infrastructure.