Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
Nearly six years after a devastating fire halted the commissioning of the 225-megawatt Gbarain Power Plant in Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, has taken a major step toward bringing the facility back to life.
The company has officially handed over the rehabilitation project to a joint venture between TILT Energy Limited and Schneider Electric, marking the beginning of efforts to restore the power plant to operation.
At the heart of the rehabilitation is the replacement of the plant’s Power Control Module, a critical component that was destroyed by fire in November 2020, just months before the facility was due to begin generating electricity.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, NDPHC’s General Manager for Generation Projects, Engineer Ginsau Idris, said the extent of the damage made the replacement unavoidable, adding that the contractors have demonstrated a clear understanding of the assignment and are committed to delivering the project on schedule.
Executive Director for Generation, Engineer Abdullahi Kassim, described the fire as a major setback but said work is now underway to restore the strategic power plant.
He disclosed that complementary infrastructure, including access roads and operational buildings, is also being developed to support the facility.
Kassim noted that the plant’s proximity to gas resources makes it well positioned to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s electricity generation once it returns to service.
Managing Director of TILT Energy Limited, Deji Awodeji, assured stakeholders that the joint venture would complete the rehabilitation within the 12-month timeline, and possibly ahead of schedule, while maintaining high engineering standards.
Furthermore, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Engineer Jennifer Adighije, said the Gbarain project was prioritised because it represents a “low-hanging fruit” capable of delivering a quick increase in electricity generation.
She explained that the company secured the necessary approvals and funding in record time to fast-track the rehabilitation, expressing confidence that the restored plant will strengthen the national grid and support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Once completed, the recommissioning of the 225-megawatt Gbarain Power Plant is expected to add much-needed generation capacity to Nigeria’s electricity supply and improve power availability for homes and businesses.
The handover ceremony concluded with an inspection of ongoing works by NDPHC management, contractors and other stakeholders.