Gbarain power plant rehabilitation to be completed within 12 months

By Editor

Managing Director of TILT Energy Limited, Mr. Deji Awodeji, has assured stakeholders that the rehabilitation of the 225-megawatt Gbarain Power Plant in Bayelsa State will be completed within, and possibly ahead of, its 12-month timeline without compromising quality.

Awodeji gave the assurance as the Niger Delta Power Holding Company NDPHC officially handed over the rehabilitation of the power plant to a joint venture comprising TILT Energy Limited and Schneider Electric for the replacement of the plant’s burnt Power Control Module PCM.

The rehabilitation is expected to restore the 225MW facility, which has remained idle since the PCM was destroyed by fire in November 2020, just months before the plant was due for commissioning.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Gbarain, Bayelsa State, NDPHC’s General Manager, Generation Projects, Engr. Ginsau Idris, said the PCM was extensively damaged by the fire, making its replacement unavoidable.

He expressed confidence in the contractors, noting that all parties clearly understood their responsibilities and were committed to delivering the project successfully and on schedule.

NDPHC’s Executive Director, Generation, Engr. Abdullahi Kassim, described the 2020 fire incident as a major setback to the project and commended the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, for driving efforts to revive the power plant.

Kassim disclosed that complementary infrastructure, including access roads and support buildings, is also under construction, adding that the Gbarain Power Plant remains a strategic national asset because of its proximity to gas supply.

He reaffirmed the commitment of all stakeholders to restore the facility to operation as quickly as possible.

Speaking at the event, Adighije said the rehabilitation project was prioritised after the Gbarain Power Plant was identified as a “low-hanging fruit” capable of delivering a quick boost to Nigeria’s electricity generation.

She said NDPHC secured the required approvals and funding in record time, expressing confidence that the TILT Energy/Schneider Electric joint venture possesses the technical capacity to deliver the project successfully.

According to her, replacing the burnt Power Control Module will pave the way for the recommissioning of the 225MW power plant, improve electricity supply to the national grid and support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The handover ceremony concluded with an inspection of ongoing works at the project site by NDPHC management, contractors and other stakeholders.