By Ambrose Nnaji
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has added another major boost to Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity with the successful restoration of 450MW at the Geregu National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), following the completion of an extended four-week maintenance programme executed by Siemens Energy.
According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, the maintenance—an extended minor inspection—was targeted at improving the plant’s operational reliability, performance, and overall efficiency. The intervention also extends the plant’s Equivalent Operating Hours (EOH), ensuring a longer operating lifespan.
Engr. Adighije disclosed that the Geregu restoration is part of a wider recovery drive that has seen NDPHC revive six previously dormant gas turbines across its power fleet in the last year. The recovered units include GT4 at Calabar NIPP, GT1 at Omotosho II, GT1 and GT2 at Benin NIPP, and GT4 at Sapele NIPP. At the Alaoji NIPP plant, GT3 and GT4 are now fully restored and standing by for pre-commissioning, pending the conclusion of gas supplies remedial work.
Collectively, the recovered gas turbines represent a cumulative 875MW in mechanical available generation capacity, positioning NDPHC as a critical contributor to Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to expand generation output and strengthen grid reliability.
In a major step toward reclaiming dormant national assets, Engr. Adighije also confirmed the commencement of restoration activities at the 225MW Gbarain NIPP plant, which has remained idle since 2020. She described the project as strategic, noting that the restored capacity would help serve industrial and commercial clusters across the Niger Delta region while supporting the company’s commercialisation plans.
Despite the sector’s persistent operational and financing constraints, NDPHC has recorded significant milestones over the past year. Notable achievements include the recovery of 110 containers—containing critical turbine parts and HRSG components—abandoned at the Onne Port for nearly a decade. The company also initiated the Light up Nigeria – Agbara industrial cluster project, which aims to supply dedicated power to the Agbara Industrial Estate, alongside a 10MW embedded solar project targeted at an industrial zone in Kano.
On the transmission and distribution side, NDPHC completed key projects in Borno and Delta States and delivered the Afam–Ikot Ekpene 330kV double-circuit transmission line, a development expected to ease grid congestion and improve stability.
Financially, the company achieved notable progress, including the recovery of over $10 million in legacy debts from bilateral customers and securing $15 million in insurance claims related to the fire incident at the Alaoji plant. Additionally, advanced discussions with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) are ongoing to recover NDPHC’s investments in Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) projects.
The resolution of longstanding commercial disputes with ACCUGAS led to an amendment of the gas supply agreement, effectively reducing the federal government’s exposure and improving NDPHC’s operational sustainability.
Internally, the company has implemented reforms aimed at streamlining operations and enhancing staff welfare, including the establishment of a procurement benchmarking desk, the introduction of computer-based staff performance testing, and a management support allowance designed to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
Reaffirming the company’s broader vision, Engr. Adighije stated that NDPHC remains committed to “restoring dormant capacity, stabilising operations, and supporting the national goal of a reliable and sustainable power supply value chain.” She emphasised that transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement would continue to drive the company’s efforts toward ensuring universal access to electricity for households and businesses across Nigeria.
