Grand Katsina-Ala Hydropower Project

About the Project

Strengthening Nigeria’s Power System

Developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession framework.

The Katsina-Ala Hydropower Project is a large-scale energy infrastructure development designed to expand Nigeria’s power capacity while supporting long-term economic growth and grid stability.

The project comprises a 460 MW large-scale hydroelectric facility on the Katsina-Ala River, a major tributary of the Benue River Basin in north-central Nigeria.

The project is designed to provide dispatchable baseload power, supporting grid reliability and complementing Nigeria’s existing generation mix.

Structured under a Design-Finance-Build-Operate-Transfer (DFBOT) concession framework, the project is designed to attract international project finance while delivering long-term baseload power to Nigeria’s grid.

The development is expected to support regional economic growth and strengthen national energy security.

Access to detailed project information is provided to qualified counterparties through a structured engagement process.

The project is being developed within Nigeria’s established PPP framework in alignment with national infrastructure and energy development priorities.

Baseload Renewable Power

Dispatchable hydroelectric generation providing firm electricity supply — available 24/7 regardless of weather conditions — supporting nationwide grid stability.

Regional Economic Transformation

A strategic national infrastructure investment generating thousands of jobs, skills transfer, and sustained economic activity across Benue State and the wider Middle Belt.

National Grid Integration

High-voltage 330kV transmission connection designed to materially increase Nigeria's reliable generation capacity and reduce the national power deficit.

Flood Management & Irrigation

Regulated river flow delivering critical downstream flood protection for the Benue Basin and enabling agricultural irrigation across surrounding farmlands.

460MW

Capacity

Roadmap

Development & Execution Roadmap

The Grand Katsina-Ala Hydropower Project is progressing through a structured development and execution pathway toward financial close and construction.

The roadmap below outlines the project’s current position and the key milestones ahead.

Project Development

Concept development, engineering studies, hydrological analysis, and transmission planning have been undertaken to establish the project’s technical and strategic foundation.

Regulatory & Sovereign Alignment

FEC-approved concession (December 2025) and full PPP compliance certification (August 2025) establish a strong federal and regulatory foundation for the project.

Current Stage

The project is advancing toward concession agreement execution alongside engagement with EPC and financing partners to support bankable structuring.

Q2 2026

Near-Term Milestones

Concession Agreement execution and EPC and financing partner alignment

2026–2027

Financial Close

Finalisation of capital structure and achievement of financial close

Post financial close

Construction & Delivery

Mobilisation of EPC contractor and commencement of construction under a turnkey delivery model

Long-term concession phase

Operations

Delivery of dispatchable renewable baseload power to Nigeria’s grid

Core Objectives

Multi-Purpose Infrastructure Asset

Energy

460 MW of clean, dispatchable hydropower supporting Nigeria’s national grid.

Beyond its 460 MW hydropower capacity, the project supports water resource management, irrigation potential, and regional economic development across Benue State and surrounding areas.

Agriculture

Supporting irrigated agriculture and enabling year-round farming productivity.

The Grand Katsina-Ala Project is designed as an integrated infrastructure platform delivering renewable energy, agricultural productivity, and climate resilience.

Climate & Water Management

Enhancing flood control, water regulation, and environmental sustainability.

By combining energy generation with long-term water and land use optimisation, the project contributes to a broader vision of sustainable growth: strengthening food systems, improving climate resilience, and supporting inclusive economic development.

Geographic Positioning

Project Location

The Grand Katsina-Ala Hydropower Project is located on the Katsina-Ala River in Benue State, Nigeria, with transmission connectivity to the national grid via Makurdi.

The project is positioned within a major hydrological basin and benefits from strong water flow characteristics and proximity to existing grid infrastructure.

State

Benue State, Nigeria

River Basin

Katsina-Ala River

Grid Connectivity

Makurdi Substation

Detailed project information is available via secure data room for qualified parties.

Katsina-Ala Project Area (Detailed View)

Hydrological Basin Context (Benue River System)

Project Location within Nigeria

Sustainability

ESG & Community Impact

The project is structured to deliver measurable environmental, social, and economic value, supporting sustainable energy generation, local economic activity, and responsible water resource management.

Environmental Considerations

The project is being developed in accordance with internationally recognised environmental standards, with a focus on responsible water resource management, biodiversity protection, and long-term sustainability.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) will inform project design and implementation, ensuring alignment with national regulatory frameworks and international best practice.

Economic & Social Impact

The project is expected to generate significant economic value through job creation, regional infrastructure development, and long-term support to local communities.
As a large-scale energy asset, it contributes to broader economic growth while supporting national development priorities.

Governance & Project Structure

The project is being advanced under a structured development framework with defined roles across technical, financial, and advisory partners.
Governance processes are designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with institutional investment standards throughout development, financing, and execution phases.

Project Developer

Maverick Energy Partners

Maverick Energy Partners is the project sponsor and development lead for the Grand Katsina-Ala Hydropower Project. The firm brings together a specialist partnership with a combined track record spanning 54+ hydropower and water infrastructure projects across 30+ countries, representing more than 60,000 MW of installed or advised capacity.

Partner competencies span the full project lifecycle — technical design and construction supervision, EPC contract structuring, project finance advisory, and national regulatory engagement. The team holds direct project responsibility on Nigeria’s largest hydropower undertakings, including Mambilla (3,050 MW), Zungeru (700 MW), and Gurara I & II — giving the partnership unmatched institutional depth in the Nigerian context, with established relationships across the Federal Ministry of Power, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, NBET, TCN, and leading multilateral development finance institutions including the World Bank, AFD, and the Export-Import Bank of China.

54+

Projects Worldwide

60,000+ MW

Combined Capacity

45+ Years

Each Partner’s Experience

11

Nigerian HPP Projects

Capital Advisory, Partnerships & Strategic Advisory: GAN International

Contact

Get in Touch

Qualified investors, partners, and institutions may request access to detailed project materials, including technical documentation, financial models, and data room information.