Joseph Bakare/Yemisi Izuora
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) has added 1,712km of 33kv lines, 4,540km of 11KV lines, 24,996 Completely Self-Protected (CSP) distribution transformers, 3,970MVA injection substations capacity and 1,212MVA CSP transformers (distribution) capacity to its network.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, who disclosed this in Abuja at a Power Sector Communication Team (PSCT) Solar Energy Workshop, also said that the company has completed seven gas delivery facilities to enhance gas delivery to the power plants.
This, he noted, was to ensure that gas delivery infrastructure does not disrupt supply chain to the power generating facilities.
According to him, most of the projects it is handling have been completed and already in service, even as preparations are on top gear to commission NDPHC Ikot-Ekpene switching station in the second week of November 2016.
“This will allow evacuation of over 2,000MW of electricity from Calabar, Alaoji and Afam power stations in the Eastern plank, adding that several intervention projects in both transmission and distribution chain of the power industry were also completed and added to the network by NDPHC.
“The privatisation of our power plants is still on course with three power stations taken together in the first round. Specifically, this process will continue with the conclusion of ongoing privatisation of Calabar, Geregu and Omotosho power stations while the Vice President and Chairman of the Board directed that Egbema power station be sold ‘As-Is’.
“Decision on Omoku power station will be taken after the conclusion of ongoing project audit of the plant. All these strategies are designed to enable the management complete all the ongoing projects under phase 1 and deliver power to Nigerians,” the NDPHC stated.
Ugbo also revealed that the management plans completion of Gbarian power station by firing the second unit to bring available capacity to 225MW as well as completion of Alaoji Combined Cycle Phase, adding that “this will bring additional capacity of 270MW with one block steam cycle.”
He explained that the NDPHC was actively involved in the presidential initiative on Rural Solar Home lighting systems where 20,000 units of Solar Home Systems (SHS) in underserved rural areas with no access to grid electricity supply was being implemented.
“In July this year, NDPHC signed a partnership contract with Azuri Technologies Group/Azuri Solar Power Nigeria Limited for this presidential initiative designed to achieve in 12 months, deployment of all SHS units to the identified communities/beneficiaries. A new department is now in place to drive these initiatives,” he explained.