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Kashimbila Hydropower Station, Nigeria

Engineering innovation delivers more power, lower costs, and long-term energy resilience for Nigeria.

Client

S.C.C. (Nigeria) Limited

Project date

September 2009 - November 2022

In response to Nigeria’s national policy to expand hydropower capacity, the Kashimbila Hydropower Station emerged as a flagship project aimed at meeting the country’s growing energy demands. Zutari played a pivotal role from feasibility to final energisation, helping shape a more sustainable and efficient future for Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
Kashimbila-Hydropower-Station-4

The opportunity

Located in the remote south-eastern region of Nigeria, Kashimbila was an ambitious project that presented both technical and logistical challenges. Limited hydrological and geological data, coupled with difficult site access, meant the project required innovative engineering solutions.
Kashimbila-Multipurpose-dam-and-bridge

What we did

Zutari’s involvement began in 2011 with a technical feasibility study of the dam spillway, followed by detailed designs for the dam and hydropower station. The project evolved to include:

  • Hydropower station: Designed with an installed capacity of 40 MW (increased from the initial 18 MW based on Zutari’s hydrological modelling and yield analysis).

  • Dam redesign: Shifted from a 200 Mm³ to a 500 Mm³ storage capacity, optimised as a composite dam with the spillway closer to the river channel, reducing excavation volumes and costs.

  • Transmission infrastructure: 240 km of 132 kV double-circuit transmission lines, 40 km of 33 kV lines, five new substations, and one major upgrade for integration into the national grid.

  • Optimised flood and diversion design: A new flood hydrology review reduced design flood requirements, while river diversion works were simplified with shorter culverts, cutting costs substantially.

  • Full engineering services: Spanning network planning, civil, electrical, structural, building services, SCADA, and telecommunications.


Zutari also provided procurement support, contract management, and quality control across construction, commissioning, and handover.
Kashimbila-Hydropower-Station-5
The Kashimbila Dam’s spillway was re-engineered to nestle into the natural contours of the surrounding mountains, reducing excavation and harmonising with the landscape.

The outcome

Today, the Kashimbila Hydropower Station generates 40 MW of renewable power while supporting Nigeria’s transmission grid with over 280 km of new and upgraded lines. Zutari’s solutions reduced construction costs, increased installed capacity, and ensured long-term operational sustainability. Beyond the technical achievements, the project brings clean, reliable energy to communities and contributes to Nigeria’s energy security goals.

Kashimbila Hydropower Station is helping to bring reliable electricity to communities in south-eastern Nigeria. By combining smart design with practical solutions, Zutari contributed to a project that powers homes, supports local development, and makes a real difference in people’s daily lives.

Zutari engineers delivered a cost-effective, future-ready hydropower station and transmission system, energised in December 2019.

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