News Investigators/ The Niger Delta Power Holding Company has restored the 450-meawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia to the national grid after a three-year shutdown.
The plant was shut down in 2023 following gas supply disruptions caused by metering disputes and unresolved trading point disagreements with gas supplier, TotalEnergies.
Jennifer Adighije, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, disclosed the development during a meeting with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
A statement issued in Lagos on Thursday by NDPHC spokesman, Mr Emmanuel Ojor, said financial obligations also contributed significantly to the prolonged shutdown of the facility.
Mrs Adighije said reviving the power plant became a critical priority after she assumed office as NDPHC chief executive in 2024.
She said the company repaired the faulty gas pipeline and settled all outstanding debts owed to TotalEnergies to restore gas supply.
“The good news is that we have completed all remedial works and restored gas supply to the plant,” Mrs Adighije said.
She added that extensive electromechanical repairs were also undertaken to return the facility to operational status after years of inactivity.
According to her, three generating units identified as GT1, GT22 and GT23 have now been fully restored and reconnected to the national grid.
She said the restored units currently have the capacity to generate about 375 megawatts of electricity for national distribution.
Mrs Adighije described the Alaoji facility as a strategic national asset with strong transmission infrastructure capable of improving electricity supply across Nigeria.
She commended the Abia government for ongoing reforms in the electricity sector and expressed readiness to collaborate with the state administration.
“We are encouraged by the reforms introduced by the Abia government and remain ready to partner for improved electricity supply,” she said.
Responding, Mr Otti praised the NDPHC management for successfully reviving the long-idle power facility in Abia.
He described the restoration as a major development capable of boosting industrial activities, economic growth and investment opportunities across the state.
“The last time I visited the plant, it was painful to see such huge capacity lying idle. I am happy it is now operational again,” the governor added.
Mr Otti disclosed that the Alaoji plant possessed expansion potential capable of increasing generation capacity from 450 megawatts to about 800 megawatts initially.
He added that the facility could subsequently attain nearly 1,100 megawatts generation capacity depending on the availability of required funding and investments.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving electricity supply through investments in renewable energy, power infrastructure and mini-grid projects.
Abia Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Monday Ikechukwu, also assured NDPHC of the state government’s continued support for the facility.
Mr Ikechukwu said the state was prepared to commence commercial discussions aimed at supplying electricity to Umuahia and surrounding communities.
Officials of the Alaoji Power Plant confirmed that the facility had been fully prepared for sustained and stable operations on the national grid.
NAN
