Genesis Electricity Limited (GEL) has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for the installation of General Electricity’s (GE) TM2500+ units at the Port Harcourt refinery. The agreement also includes the future modernization of Nigeria’s other two refineries.
The three of 25(MW) trailer-mounted TM2500+ aero-derivative gas turbines, supplied by GE at the GEL Utility, will provide both the base-load and back-up power to generate uninterrupted power at the refinery.
The gas turbines installation will ensure the country’s largest oil refinery has the power it needs to overcome chronic grid outages and return to full capacity for refining. The grid outages have reduced Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited’s output to 30% of its total maximum capacity of 210,000 barrels per day.
The NNPC and private marketers are forced to import large volumes of refined petroleum products to meet the country’s domestic needs. According to Akinwole Omoboriowo, the Chief Executive Officer of Genesis Electricity, three TM2500+ units will enter commercial operation in August 2014, giving PHRC the power it needs to return to full capacity. As a result, Nigeria will be able to drastically reduce its use of imported refined fuel products
In support of local content requirements and reflecting GE’s long-term commitment to promoting workforce development opportunities in countries where the company operates, GE is training local engineers to operate and manage the refinery’s TM2500+ units. The company also has an in-country service and maintenance workshop to service the units.
GE launched its new Distributed Power business in February 2014, combining three product lines, aero derivative gas turbines, Jenbacher gas engines and Waukesha gas engines, to better serve the distributed power space and help meet the world’s growing demand for on-site power systems that are easier to finance, faster to install and more efficient and reliable for customers.
