Govt restores 450MW to grid after power fleet revamp

Kindly share this story:

The Federal Government, through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, has restored 450 megawatts of generation capacity to the national grid following the completion of scheduled maintenance works on the Geregu National Integrated Power Project plant in Kogi State.

The four-week extended minor inspection, conducted by Siemens Energy, was executed to improve the facility’s reliability and operating efficiency. The intervention also extended the plant’s Equivalent Operating Hours, strengthening one of the country’s most strategic generation assets.

The development was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the Head of Corporate Communications and External Relations at NDPHC, Emmanuel Ojor.

According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Adighije, the Geregu recovery forms part of a wider effort to revive previously dormant assets across the company’s power fleet.

The statement read, “The Niger Delta Power Holding Company has successfully restored an additional 450MW of generation capacity to the national grid following the completion of scheduled maintenance on the Geregu NIPP plant.

“The four-week extended minor inspection, undertaken by Siemens Energy, was executed to enhance the facility’s operational reliability, performance, and efficiency, thereby extending the plant’s Equivalent Operating Hours and operational life span.”

She revealed that six gas turbines that had been idle for years have been restored within the last 12 months, including GT4 at the Calabar NIPP, GT1 at Omotosho II, GT1 and GT2 at Benin NIPP, GT4 at Sapele NIPP, and GT3 and GT4 at Alaoji NIPP, which are now awaiting pre-commissioning once gas supply constraints are resolved.

Collectively, the restored units will contribute about 875MW to NDPHC’s mechanically available capacity, one of the largest single-year recoveries by a power generation company in recent years.

“The company has also recovered six previously dormant gas turbines across the NDPHC fleet of gas turbines. These include GT4 at the Calabar NIPP, GT1 at Omotosho II, GT1 and GT2 at Benin NIPP, GT4 at Sapele NIPP, and currently GT3 and GT4 at Alaoji NIPP on standby for pre-commissioning after gas supply remedial works,” the statement added.

Adighije also announced the commencement of restoration works on the 225MW Gbarain NIPP plant in Bayelsa State, which has been out of service since 2020.

She described the project as “a major step toward recovering dormant national power assets,” adding that its rehabilitation will support the company’s commercialisation plans aimed at powering key industrial and commercial clusters in the Niger Delta.

Despite persistent challenges relating to gas supply shortages, grid instability, and liquidity pressures across the power sector, NDPHC said it had recorded significant operational and financial breakthroughs.

These include the recovery of 110 containers loaded with critical turbine parts and Heat Recovery Steam Generator components, which were abandoned at Onne Port for more than nine years.

Other milestones include: commencement of the Light Up Nigeria, Agbara industrial cluster project designed to deliver stable electricity to the Agbara Industrial Estate; development of a 10MW embedded solar plant for an industrial zone in Kano; completion of key transmission and distribution projects in Borno and Delta States; and completion of the Afam–Ikot Ekpene 330kV double-circuit line, a long-delayed grid-expansion project.

NDPHC also recovered over $10m from legacy bilateral customers, secured $15m insurance claims for the Alaoji power plant fire incident, and is currently working with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on mechanisms for recovering its investments in Transmission Company of Nigeria’s infrastructure.

The company further resolved longstanding commercial disputes with ACCUGAS, leading to an amendment of the gas supply agreement that reduces exposure to the Federal Government.

Beyond infrastructure, Adighije said the company had introduced internal reforms to improve accountability and staff welfare. These include a procurement benchmarking desk to streamline processes, computer-based testing for performance evaluation, and a management support allowance to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

She explained, “Other success stories include recovery of over $10 million in legacy debts from bilateral customers, securing $15 million in insurance claims for the Alaoji plant fire incident, advanced engagements with NERC on recovering NDPHC’s investments in TCN’s transmission expansion projects, resolution of longstanding commercial issues with ACCUGAS, leading to an amendment of gas supply agreement which reduces government’s exposure.

“To strengthen accountability and staff welfare, the management of NDPHC has introduced a procurement benchmarking desk for streamlining procurement practices, Computer-Based Testing for enhanced staff performance management, and a management support allowance to cushion the impacts of fuel subsidy removal.”

Reaffirming NDPHC’s long-term mandate, Adighije said the company remained committed to “restoring dormant capacity, stabilising operations and supporting Nigeria’s goal of a more reliable and sustainable electricity supply chain.”

She added that the management would continue to prioritise transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement as it works to “unlock universal access to electricity that powers businesses and households across the country.”

NDPHC is the special-purpose vehicle managing Nigeria’s National Integrated Power Project, created in 2005 to accelerate power infrastructure development. Many NIPP plants have suffered years of underutilisation due to gas shortages, delayed transmission projects, and liquidity challenges in the electricity market.

The recent restoration efforts mark one of the most aggressive recovery drives undertaken by the company since its inception.

A business, investment, infrastructure and property correspondent currently with The PUNCH, Aina is a media professional with over three years experience

Kindly share this story:

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]

UPDATE NEWS: Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25Million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, 👉 click here to find out how it work (Be sure to ask for evidence of clients that have benefitted from this)

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.