Grid Boost: 450MW Back Online from Geregu Plant

The Federal Government, through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), has successfully restored 450 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity to the national grid. This crucial recovery follows the completion of scheduled maintenance works at the Geregu National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) plant in Kogi State.

The four-week extended minor inspection, conducted by Siemens Energy, aimed to boost the facility’s reliability and efficiency. This intervention also extended the plant’s operational lifespan, reinforcing one of Nigeria’s most crucial power generation assets.

Wider Fleet Recovery Efforts

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Adighije, disclosed that the Geregu recovery is part of a broader drive to revive dormant assets across the company’s fleet.

Within the last 12 months, NDPHC has mechanically recovered six previously idle gas turbines, contributing an additional 875MW to the company’s available capacity. These restored units include:

• GT4 at Calabar NIPPGT1 at Omotosho IIGT1 and GT2 at Benin NIPPGT4 at Sapele NIPPGT3 and GT4 at Alaoji NIPP (Awaiting pre-commissioning once gas supply issues are resolved).

Adighije also announced the start of restoration works on the 225MW Gbarain NIPP plant in Bayelsa State, which has been out of service since 2020. This rehabilitation aims to support the company’s commercialization plans for key industrial clusters in the Niger Delta.

Operational and Financial Milestones

Despite persistent challenges like gas supply shortages, grid instability, and liquidity pressures across the power sector, NDPHC has recorded significant breakthroughs:

• Asset Recovery: The company recovered 110 containers of critical turbine parts and Heat Recovery Steam Generator components that had been abandoned at Onne Port for over nine years.
• Industrial Power: NDPHC commenced the Light Up Nigeria project, designed to deliver stable electricity to the Agbara Industrial Estate.
• Solar Development: Development began on a 10MW embedded solar plant dedicated to an industrial zone in Kano.
• Transmission Infrastructure: NDPHC completed key transmission and distribution projects in Borno and Delta States, including the Afam–Ikot Ekpene 330kV double-circuit line.
• Financial Gains: The company recovered over $10 million in legacy debts and secured a $15 million insurance claim for the Alaoji power plant fire incident. They also resolved commercial disputes with ACCUGAS, reducing the Federal Government’s financial exposure.

Adighije affirmed NDPHC’s mandate to “restoring dormant capacity, stabilising operations and supporting Nigeria’s goal of a more reliable and sustainable electricity supply chain”.