The Niger Delta Power Holding Company has commenced the rehabilitation of the 225-megawatt Gbarain Power Plant in Bayelsa State, more than five years after a fire destroyed a critical component of the facility and stalled its planned commissioning.
The company formally handed over the rehabilitation project to a joint venture between TILT Energy Limited and Schneider Electric for the replacement of the plant’s burnt Power Control Module, a key component required for the operation of the gas-fired power station.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Head of Corporate Communication and External Relations of NDPHC, Nazo Agim.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the General Manager, Generation Projects, Ginsau Idris, said the replacement of the Power Control Module had become unavoidable because the original equipment was extensively damaged by fire.
He expressed optimism that the contractors would deliver the project successfully, noting that all stakeholders clearly understood their responsibilities and were committed to restoring the facility within the agreed timeline.
“The Power Control Module was extensively damaged by fire, making its replacement imperative, but we are confident in the contractors. All parties clearly understand their responsibilities and are committed to delivering the project successfully and within schedule.”
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Generation, Abdullahi Kassim, described the November 2020 fire as one of the biggest setbacks suffered by the project, recalling that the incident occurred only a few months before the plant was scheduled for commissioning.
He noted that despite the setback, the company remained committed to reviving the project because of its strategic importance to Nigeria’s electricity supply, with complementary infrastructure under construction to ensure the plant is fully ready for operation once the rehabilitation is completed.
“The PCM was destroyed by fire in November 2020, just months before the plant was due for commissioning,” he said, describing the incident as a major setback to the project. “Also, complementary infrastructure, including access roads and support buildings, is under construction,” he added, describing the Gbarain Power Plant as a strategic asset because of its proximity to the gas supply.
He further commended the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Jennifer Adighije, for driving the revival of the project, saying her leadership had accelerated efforts to secure approvals and move the rehabilitation forward.
On behalf of the contractors, the Managing Director of TILT Energy Limited, Deji Awodeji, assured the NDPHC that the joint venture would deliver the project within the 12-month contract period and possibly ahead of schedule without compromising quality or safety standards.
In her remarks, the NDPHC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer said the Gbarain Power Plant was identified as one of the quickest opportunities to increase electricity generation, prompting the company to prioritise its rehabilitation.
She said, “The project was prioritised after the Gbarain Power Plant was identified as a ‘low-hanging fruit’ capable of delivering a quick boost to electricity generation.”
She explained that NDPHC secured the necessary approvals and funding in record time and expressed confidence in the contractors’ capacity to execute the project successfully.
According to her, replacing the burnt PCM will pave the way for the recommissioning of the 225MW power plant, thereby strengthening electricity supply and supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The ceremony ended with the inspection of ongoing works at the project site by the NDPHC management team, contractors and other stakeholders.
The Gbarain Power Plant is one of the power generation projects developed under the National Integrated Power Projects programme, which was established to expand Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity and improve power supply across the country.
Located in Bayelsa State, the 225MW gas-fired plant is strategically situated close to the Gbarain-Ubie gas processing facilities, providing it with reliable access to natural gas.
Although the plant was substantially completed, its planned commissioning was delayed after a fire destroyed the Power Control Module in November 2020.
The rehabilitation is expected to restore the facility to operation and contribute additional generation capacity to the national grid at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with inadequate electricity supply.