Alaoji power plant restored 3 years after shutdown

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, has announced the restoration of the 450 megawatts Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State after it was shut down in 2023 over gas supply and metering disputes. Adighije disclosed this during a meeting with the Governor […]

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, has announced the restoration of the 450 megawatts Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State after it was shut down in 2023 over gas supply and metering disputes.

Adighije disclosed this during a meeting with the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, where she briefed the governor on efforts taken by the company to revive the power plant.

In a statement, she explained that the plant was shut down after disparities emerged between metering and trading points, leading gas supplier TotalEnergies to suspend supply to the facility, while debts also accumulated.

“The good news is that we have carried out and fixed all the remedial works on the defective gas line. We’ve also been able to completely defray our past due obligations to Total, and Total has restored gas supply to the plant,” she said.

She added that extensive electromechanical works had also been completed on the plant, leading to the restoration of three generating units, GT1, GT22 and GT23, which are now available to dispatch about 375 megawatts to the national grid.

She noted that the plant has adequate transmission infrastructure with no major evacuation constraints, describing it as a viable generation facility for grid-imported electricity.

The NDPHC boss also commended the Abia State government for reforms in the electricity sector, especially the Aba ring-fenced power arrangement and the establishment of the state electricity regulatory agency.

Responding, Governor Otti praised the management of NDPHC for bringing the Alaoji plant back to life, describing the development as critical to economic growth and industrial development in the state.

“The last time I visited the Alaoji plant, it was regrettable that such capacity was wasting away. I’m glad to learn that you have brought it back to life,” the governor said.

Otti revealed that the plant could eventually be expanded to 800 megawatts and later to about 1,100 megawatts, subject to the availability of funds.