The Federal Government of Nigeria has endorsed a US $32m turbine rehabilitation project by Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) at its Jebba hydropower plant in Niger State. The Minister of State, Power, Mr Goddy Jeddy-Agba made the disclosure when he received a delegation from MESL, operators of the Kainji and Jebba hydropower plants, along with officials of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the turbine, Andritz Hydro GmbH.
The Minister also lauded the company for the turnaround experienced in the plant since it took over the operation in 2013. He further assured the delegates that the Federal government was ready for more partnerships and investments as MESL was striving to improve the plants without being prompted. “I want to assure you that the Federal Government will work to make the power sector viable and move forward,” he said.
Eng. Lamu Audu, the Managing Director of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL), in his remarks said that the Jebba Unit 2G6 turbine got burnt in 2009 under the defunct PHCN and that as part of their capacity recovery programme, they will be signing the agreement soonest to rehabilitate it as part of their mandate in the power sector privatisation.
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Added generation capacity
According to him, the Jebba turbine project will cost US $32m in two years to add 96.4MW capacity to the plant. “We are sourcing for the funding through loans and again it will take about two years. The unit is supposed to come back to the grid in the second quarter of 2022.” he noted.
Audu emphasised that MESL has recovered 468MW at Kainji and will be adding 80MW by October 2020 after ongoing recovery works on Unit 1G7 turbine. Combined with the Jebba capacity, MESL will reach over 1,000MW capacity out of the 1,338MW total installed capacity of both plants. “By the time we recover Unit 2G6, we will almost reach our limit and we will be focusing on expansion,” he added.
