Dangote Industries Limited is set to double power generation capacity at its refinery from 500 megawatts (MW) to 1,000MW as part of its ongoing expansion drive that will raise refining capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (BPD) to 1.4 million BPD.
Group President Aliko Dangote disclosed this during a media briefing at the Lekki refinery complex, noting that the power upgrade will guarantee energy independence for the refinery and improve reliability across its expanding industrial operations.
“We are doubling our power generation from 500 megawatts to 1,000 megawatts,” Dangote said. “This is to ensure uninterrupted operations and to support the next phase of our refinery expansion.”
The increased capacity will not only stabilize production but also supply power to other associated facilities within the refinery corridor, including petrochemical plants and export terminals.
Dangote emphasized that reliable internal power generation remains critical to sustaining 24-hour refining operations and meeting global production standards.
He noted that the expansion aligns with the company’s goal of maintaining high efficiency and self-sufficiency in all production phases. With the additional 500MW, the refinery’s power infrastructure will be capable of supporting future growth in petrochemical output and ancillary industries within the Lekki Free Zone.
“We have designed this facility to run without dependence on the national grid,” Dangote said. “It’s about resilience and operational stability. Even during maintenance or system upgrades, power will never be a limiting factor.”
The power upgrade forms part of the broader expansion project that includes scaling refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, upgrading fuel production to Euro 6 standards, and increasing polypropylene output from 900,000 to 2.4 million metric tons per annum.
The refinery’s design also allows for phased maintenance, ensuring continuous operation at no less than 50 percent capacity even during turnaround cycles.
Industry analysts say the power infrastructure will serve as a backbone for Nigeria’s industrial base in the Lekki axis, where multiple energy-intensive projects are emerging.
The expansion will strengthen local supply chains and create new opportunities for engineering and technical services across the value chain.
Dangote described the refinery as a long-term catalyst for Nigeria’s energy and industrial transformation, noting that the decision to build an internal 1,000MW power system underscores the company’s commitment to self-reliance, reliability, and sustainable operations.
“This project is about more than refining crude oil; it’s about powering an economy,” he said. “We are creating an industrial ecosystem where energy supply, production, and logistics work in complete harmony.”
With the upgraded system in place, Dangote Refinery is positioned to become one of the most energy-efficient refineries globally, combining large-scale refining, petrochemicals, and independent power generation on a single integrated platform.
“We’ve done our numbers and secured the technology,” Dangote concluded. “This expansion represents faith in Nigeria’s capacity to sustain industrial excellence. We are not just refining oil — we are powering Africa’s future.”
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