The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has announced the successful restoration of the 450-megawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State.
South-eastern Nigeria is bringing the facility back into operation after nearly three years of shutdown caused by gas supply and metering disputes.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Engineer Jennifer Adighije, disclosed this during a meeting with the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, where she briefed him on efforts made to revive the power plant and strengthen electricity supply in the state.
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According to Adighije, the plant was shut down in 2023 after disagreements emerged over metering and trading points, leading gas supplier TotalEnergies to suspend gas supply to the facility.
“The situation was further worsened by accumulated debts owed by the company.”
She explained that upon assuming office in 2024, restoring the Alaoji power plant became one of the company’s major priorities.
“The good news is that we have carried out and fixed all the remedial works on the defective gas line. We’ve also been able to completely defray our past-due obligations to Total, and Total has restored gas supply to the plant,” Adighije stated.
The NDPHC boss revealed that extensive electromechanical rehabilitation works had also been completed, resulting in the successful restoration of three generating units: GT1, GT22, and GT23.
She said the restored units are now capable of dispatching about 375 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, stressing that the plant possesses strong transmission infrastructure with minimal evacuation constraints, making it a strategic asset for improving electricity generation and supply across the country.
Adighije also commended the Abia State government for its ongoing reforms in the power sector, particularly the Aba ring-fenced electricity arrangement and the establishment of the state electricity regulatory agency.
She noted that NDPHC intends to leverage the Electricity Act and the growing bilateral electricity market to collaborate with states and eligible customers in delivering improved electricity supply nationwide.
“We would love to form a strategic alliance with Abia State considering the fact that you are very driven and determined to secure uninterruptible electricity for the good people of Abia State,” she said.
Responding, Governor Otti praised the management of NDPHC for reviving the power plant, describing the development as a major boost for economic growth and industrialisation in Abia State.
“The last time I visited the Alaoji plant, it was regrettable that such capacity was wasting away. I’m glad to learn that you have brought it back to life,” the governor stated.
Otti further disclosed that the plant has the potential to expand from its current 450 megawatts to 800 megawatts and eventually about 1,100 megawatts, depending on the availability of funding.
The governor reiterated that electricity remains one of the most important drivers of economic development and noted that his administration has prioritised power infrastructure since taking office in 2023.
He also revealed that the State government had ring-fenced the Umuahia electricity market and entered into an agreement with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company to acquire electricity distribution assets covering Umuahia and surrounding communities.
According to him, the State would require about 100 megawatts of electricity to adequately service the eight local government areas under the Umuahia ring-fence, while investments in renewable energy and mini-grid projects were also underway.
Governor Otti directed the State Commissioner for Power to work closely with NDPHC officials on modalities for wheeling electricity from the Alaoji plant to Umuahia and other parts of the state.
Speaking after touring the facility, the Abia State Commissioner for Power and Public Utility, Engr. Monday Ikechukwu, assured NDPHC of the state government’s readiness to partner with the company through commercial negotiations aimed at improving electricity supply.
Earlier, the Acting Chief Operating Officer of the Alaoji Power Plant, Engr. Emenogu Augustine Uzoma stated that the plant is fully prepared for normal operations.
He said the restoration of the Alaoji Power Plant is expected to significantly improve electricity generation capacity in Nigeria while supporting industrial growth and economic activities in Abia State and beyond.
