By Gloria Akudoro
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has handed over the 225MW Gbarain Power Plant rehabilitation project to a joint venture comprising TILT Energy Limited and Schneider Electric.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by NDPHC’s Head of Corporate Communication and External Relations, Nazo Agim, who said the replacement of the plant’s burnt Power Control Module (PCM) marks a significant milestone in efforts to restore the 225MW facility.
The Gbarain Power Plant has remained idle since 30 November 2020, when a fire destroyed its PCM, just months before the facility was scheduled for commissioning. Although NDPHC has not publicly disclosed the cause of the fire, the incident stalled the completion of the 225MW plant and delayed its contribution to the national grid.
However, during the handover ceremony, the Managing Director/CEO of NDPHC, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, explained that the Gbarain Power Plant rehabilitation was prioritised after it was identified as a “low-hanging fruit” capable of delivering a quick boost to electricity generation.
Adighije said the company secured the required approvals and funding in record time and expressed confidence in the contractors’ ability to deliver the project successfully.
According to her, replacing the burnt PCM will pave the way for the recommissioning of the 225MW plant, strengthening electricity supply and advancing the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his remarks, the NDPHC General Manager, Generation Projects, Engr. Ginsau Idris, said the PCM was extensively damaged by fire, making its replacement imperative.
He expressed confidence in the contractors, noting that all parties clearly understood their responsibilities and were committed to delivering the project successfully and within schedule.
NDPHC’s Executive Director, Generation, Engr. Abdullahi Kassim, recalled that the PCM was destroyed by fire in November 2020, just months before the plant was due for commissioning, describing the incident as a major setback to the project.
He commended the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, for championing the revival of the project.
Kassim also disclosed that complementary infrastructure, including access roads and support buildings, is under construction, describing the Gbarain Power Plant as a strategic asset because of its proximity to gas supply.
The Managing Director of TILT Energy Limited, Mr. Deji Awodeji, assured stakeholders that the joint venture would complete the rehabilitation within, and possibly ahead of, the 12-month project timeline without compromising quality.
He reaffirmed the partners’ commitment to restoring the plant to operation as quickly as possible.
The statement disclosed that the ceremony concluded with an inspection of ongoing works at the project site by NDPHC management, contractors and other stakeholders.
