Nigeria Small Hydropower Potential Put at 3,500MW as UNIDO, Gombe Train Project Developers
GOMBE, Nigeria — Nigeria's small hydropower potential stands at about 3,500 megawatts out of an estimated national hydropower capacity of 24,000 megawatts, according to Philbert Johnson, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation's representative and sub-regional director.
By Source Reporters Newsdesk
Thu, 27 August 2026 · 1 min read
GOMBE, Nigeria — Nigeria's small hydropower potential stands at about 3,500 megawatts out of an estimated national hydropower capacity of 24,000 megawatts, according to Philbert Johnson, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation's representative and sub-regional director.
Johnson told participants at a capacity-building workshop in Gombe that the country also held significant solar, wind and biomass potential. The workshop, organised with the Gombe State Government and supported by the European Union, aims to raise awareness among policymakers, project developers and financial institutions of small hydropower as a reliable electricity source, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.
## Balanga Dam project used as case study
The 620kW Balanga Dam Small Hydropower Project served as the case study. Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau said the dam, inaugurated about 38 years ago, uses only 2,200 hectares of its estimated 11,000-hectare irrigation capacity. He said the state would integrate small hydropower into its rural electrification and irrigation plans, adding that the project could support irrigation, fisheries, agro-processing and flood control.
Jatau credited the EU delegation, the Global Environment Facility and the Rural Electrification Agency with support, and urged participants to produce time-bound actions.
## Wider significance
Nigeria's grid supplies roughly half its estimated demand, so distributed renewables such as small hydro are seen by development agencies as key to rural electrification across West Africa.
**Sources:** nannews.ng
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