Residents of Yenagoa are beginning to experience a noticeable improvement in electricity supply as the state-owned 60-megawatt gas turbine Independent Power Plant (IPP) gradually comes online, marking what officials and locals describe as the start of a new era of more reliable power in the Bayelsa capital.
The plant, located at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area, is the centrepiece of Governor Douye Diri’s Independent Power Project. It was formally inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 10, 2026. After initial test runs that began supplying about 20 megawatts to parts of the Opolo axis and adjoining suburbs earlier in the year, power evacuation from the facility has expanded, with residents across various streets in Yenagoa reporting steadier electricity.
According to recent reports, the process remains gradual. Those yet to be connected have been urged to remain patient as the Bayelsa State Electricity Company intensifies work to clear faults on existing distribution networks and extend coverage. Many business owners and households say they are already feeling relief from the high costs of running generators that previously dominated daily life in the state capital. Shop owners have noted reduced production expenses and improved operating conditions.
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The 60MW facility is designed to significantly reduce reliance on the national grid, which had been supplying only around 10 megawatts to Yenagoa amid frequent outages and rationing. Gas for the turbines is supplied by the NEPL/Oando Joint Venture at a contracted volume of 11.2 million standard cubic feet per day through the Elebele Valve Station, ensuring a dedicated feedstock for the plant.
In a related development, the Bayelsa State Electricity Regulatory Agency (BYERA) has begun rolling out free prepaid meters to households in Yenagoa and its environs. Director-General Dr Rosalyn Dressman confirmed that both the meters and their installation are provided free of charge to eliminate estimated billing and promote transparent, pay-as-you-consume billing.
Governor Diri has consistently described the project as a legacy investment aimed at driving industrial growth, supporting small and medium-scale enterprises, and improving the overall quality of life. Officials emphasise that electricity from the plant will not be free, with costs covering gas procurement and maintenance, but metering is expected to ensure fair billing.
The project has faced delays from its original late-2025 target due to logistical and technical issues, yet its progressive rollout is now delivering tangible benefits. As coverage expands, the gas turbines initiative is positioned to transform power reliability in Yenagoa and potentially catalyse broader economic activity in Bayelsa State.
