FG spends N1.26tn on 10 power plants

By the time all the 10 National Integrated Power Projects are completed, the Federal Government would have spent a total of $8bn (N1.26tn) on them.

Currently, four of the projects have been completed, while six others are 80 to 90 per cent completed.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, Mr. Jame Olotu, said this during the unveiling of the Ayobo transmission station in Lagos on Friday, which is expected to add 150 MVA capacity to Lagos and part of Ogun State, up to Abeokuta.

The completed NIPPs are: Omotosho in Ondo State, 451 megawatts; Olorunsogo, Ogun State, 750MW; Sapele, Delta State, 451MW; and Alaoji, Abia State, 1,074MW.

Those close to completion are the Ihovbor project in Edo State with capacity for 451MW; Geregu, Kogi State, 434MW; Egbema, Imo State, 338MW; Gbarain, Bayelsa State, 225MW; Omoku, Rivers State, 225MW; and Calabar, Cross River State, 561MW.

“In totality, Nigerians have contributed $8bn to build 10 power generation plants, which after completion; will give a total of 4,774MW. We are also building substations, transmission and distribution lines, as well as gas pipelines to ensure that the plants get gas when they are completed,” Olotu said.
He said the four completed plants had the capacity to generate 1,115MW, which would be committed to the national grid, adding, “By December this year, we are expecting a total of 2,500MW and more from the generation plants that will be completed; but this is subject to the availability of gas.”

He said integrated efforts of the President, vice-president, ministers of Petroleum and Power, the international oil companies and other stakeholders had resulted in a plan to make available emergency gas for the generating plants that would be completed between now and December, in a bid to make them commence operations.

Olotu said there were plans to supply between 300 million and 500 million standard cubic feet of gas dedicated to the NIPPs for the period under the emergency arrangement.

“If we get that, we are sure to get more power to the grid,” he said.

For the Alaoji plant, he said two out of its six units had been completed, and that 250MW could be generated from it subject to availability of gas.

The NDPHC boss said the company would continue to inaugurate at least one new project every month till December in line with its programme for the reformation of the power sector and in consonance with its intervention programme.

He attributed the country’s current power challenges to issues bearing on generation capacity and distribution.

In his remarks, the General Manager, Transmission Company of Nigeria (Lagos region), Mr. Leke Adeoye, described the Ayobo station as a major facility in Lagos, which would enormously impact on power supply in the state and its environs.

He said the maintenance programme for the project had been well structured to ensure its optimal performance like other transmission stations in the country.

“We are increasing capacity because we anticipate more demand,” Adeoye said.

Olotu had earlier said this year would be a harvest season for the NDPHC, which is charged with the responsibility of boosting power infrastructure in the country.

He also said the NIPP projects cut across generation, transmission and distribution of electricity across the country, noting that the magnitude of the infrastructure had made it imperative for the organisation to consistently seek the cooperation and support of the Police and other law enforcement agencies in protecting the facilities and creating the enabling environment for the contractors and consultants to work.