…Hands over rehabilitation project to TILT/Schneider Electric JV

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has officially handed over the rehabilitation of its Gbarain Power Plant in Bayelsa State to a joint venture comprising TILT Energy Limited and Schneider Electric for the replacement of the plant’s burnt Power Control Module (PCM), marking a significant milestone in efforts to restore the 225MW facility.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Ginsau Idris, NDPHC’s General Manager, Generation Projects, said the PCM was extensively damaged by fire, making its replacement imperative.

He expressed confidence in the contractors, noting that all parties clearly understood their responsibilities and were committed to delivering the project successfully and within schedule.

NDPHC’s Executive Director, Generation, Abdullahi Kassim, recalled that the PCM was destroyed by fire in November 2020, just months before the plant was due for commissioning, describing the incident as a major setback to the project.

Kassim also disclosed that complementary infrastructure, including access roads and support buildings, is under construction, describing the Gbarain Power Plant as a strategic asset because of its proximity to gas supply.

Deji Awodeji, Managing Director of TILT Energy Limited, assured stakeholders that the joint venture would complete the rehabilitation within, and possibly ahead of, the 12-month project timeline without compromising quality.

He reaffirmed the partners’ commitment to restoring the plant to operation as quickly as possible.

Earlier, Jennifer Adighije, Managing Director of NDPHC, said the project was prioritised after the Gbarain Power Plant was identified as a “low-hanging fruit” capable of delivering a quick boost to electricity generation.

She explained that NDPHC secured the necessary approvals and funding in record time and expressed confidence in the contractors’ capacity to execute the project successfully.

According to her, replacing the burnt PCM will pave the way for the recommissioning of the 225MW power plant, thereby strengthening electricity supply and supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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