The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has announced the successful restoration of the 450-megawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant located in Abia State. This significant development follows a three-year shutdown that began in 2023, stemming from gas supply issues and metering disputes.
Jennifer Adighije, the Managing Director of NDPHC, shared the update during a meeting with Abia State Governor Alex Otti. She detailed the comprehensive efforts undertaken by the company to revive the critical power facility.
The plant was initially taken offline after disagreements arose between metering and trading points, leading gas supplier TotalEnergies to suspend supply. Accumulated debts further exacerbated the operational challenges.
Upon assuming office in 2024, Adighije stated that the restoration of the Alaoji plant became a top priority for NDPHC. The company has since completed all necessary remedial works on the defective gas line and has fully settled outstanding obligations to TotalEnergies, securing the resumption of gas supply.
Furthermore, extensive electromechanical works have been carried out on the plant. This has led to the restoration of three generating units: GT1, GT22, and GT23. These units are now capable of dispatching approximately 375 megawatts to the national grid.
Adighije also noted that the Alaoji plant has adequate transmission infrastructure, with no major evacuation constraints, positioning it as a viable contributor to the national electricity supply.
Governor Otti commended NDPHC's management for bringing the plant back online, emphasizing its crucial role in driving economic growth and industrial development within Abia State. He recalled the plant's potential being wasted during its shutdown.
The governor further mentioned that the Alaoji plant has the potential for expansion, with possibilities to reach 800 megawatts and eventually 1,100 megawatts, contingent on funding availability. He reiterated his administration's commitment to prioritizing electricity infrastructure, recognizing its fundamental importance to economic progress.
Governor Otti also highlighted the state's initiatives, including the ring-fencing of the Umuahia electricity market and agreements with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company. He directed the state's Commissioner for Power to collaborate with NDPHC officials on facilitating the transmission of electricity from the Alaoji plant to Umuahia and other parts of the state.
The Abia State Commissioner for Power and Public Utility, Monday Ikechukwu, expressed the state government's readiness to partner with NDPHC and commence commercial negotiations, underscoring the importance of adequate power supply for the state's development.
The Alaoji Power Plant, developed under the National Integrated Power Projects, was designed as a gas-fired facility to bolster electricity supply to the South-East and the national grid. Its revival addresses long-standing issues of inadequate electricity supply in Nigeria, which have been attributed to gas shortages, infrastructure weaknesses, and commercial disputes.
