From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Founder/President of Geometric Power Plant, Aba, Abia State, Prof. Barth Nnaji has said he was optimistic of great improvement in power supply in Aba and its environs with the commissioning of the plant tomorrow by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during a pre-commissioning media briefing with select journalists at the corporate headquarters of the power plant at Osisioma, Prof Nnaji said the commissioning would be done in stages, with the first coming up tomorrow.
Prof Nnaji hinted that with the commissioning, one of the three turbines of the plant would be powered and would generate 47 megawatts.
“The first turbine will increase power supply to Aba Ring Fence Area by 47 megawatts, which is almost double of the current 25 MW supply from the National Grid, through Niger Delta Power Holding Company NDPHC.
The Geometric boss hinted that the subsequent powering of the three gas turbines would boost the supply abilities of the national grid.
“Actually, Geometric is licensed to generate a total of 188 megawatts. The three turbines we have will each generate 47 megawatts.
“The actual power need of the nine local councils that make up our area of operational mandate, Aba Ring Fence, is not more than 100 MW. That means when fully operational, about 41 megawatts will be sold to the national grid, a development which will help bolster the power supply needs of the country,” Prof Nnaji stated
“When the first turbine is commissioned, it will be monitored closely. Once the performance is considered satisfactory, the second turbine will be commissioned.”
The former Minister of Power said the same process would be followed in commissioning the third turbine.
He added that Aba and its environs may not absorb more than 100 MW for now, adding that excess power from the three turbines will be sent to the national grid to assist other parts of Nigeria.
According to him, all necessary facilities needed for a seamless operation have been put in place in keeping with their avowed commitment to provide world-class electricity services to their customers.
He disclosed that to ensure uninterrupted gas supply, the company built a 12-inch 27-kilometre natural gas pipeline from Owaza in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, to Osisioma in Aba where the plant is located.
He stated that the company has embarked on an aggressive mass metering campaign to compliment the efforts of the federal government, stressing that this was in tandem with National Electricity Regulations Commission (NERC) rules.
Nnaji thanked the Abia State Government, AFREXIM Bank, and all those that have contributed in the past 20 years to the success of the $800m power project.