- Nigeria’s vice president, Kashim Shettima was in Abia state on Monday, February 26, to commission the Aba IPP which will eventually provide uninterrupted power supply to Aba and its environs.
- The Aba Integrated Power Project (IPP) currently consists of three main components: the 141 MW Geometric Power Generation plant, the Aba Power Distribution Company, and a 12-inch by 27-kilometre natural gas supply pipeline stretching from Owaza in Ukwa West LGA to the power plant located at Osisioma in Abia State, Nigeria.
The Geometric Power Plant currently features three GE LM6000 Gas Turbines, each with a capacity of 47MW, providing a total current capacity of 141MW. There is also potential for future upgrades that could increase the overall capacity to 188MW.
In parallel, the Aba distribution company has constructed a new substation with a capacity of 4X15 MVA, complemented by an extensive network of 33kV/11kV power lines spanning over 140 kilometres. This infrastructure is designed to efficiently distribute electricity throughout the Aba fenced area, covering a significant expanse that includes nine Local Government Areas within Abia State.
Here are 10 facts on the project;
- The project was started in 2004 but faced several challenges that hindered its prompt completion.
- The Aba will eventually provide an uninterrupted power supply to the commercial city of Aba and its environs through Nigeria’s first integrated power utility, the Aba Integrated Power Plant (Aba IPP).
- Geometric Power has invested over $800 million in Nigeria’s only integrated power project.
- Four turbines with a total capacity of 188 megawatts (MW) would be inaugurated in phases until the full capacity is attained.
- On Monday, February 26, 2024, the first turbine will be powered up and monitored, and after some time, the second turbine will be powered, followed by the other turbines.
- At total capacity, the excess power from the Aba IPP would eventually be offloaded to the national grid as Aba and its environs would not be expected to consume as much as 100 MW.
- According to Geometric Power, the Aba Ring-fenced area would be fed 47 megawatts of electricity, almost double its present supply of 25 megawatts. Meanwhile, the ultimate goal is to provide a 24-hour steady power supply to the nine local governments that comprise the Aba Ring-fenced area.
- The Aba IPP consists of 100 km of 33kV & 11kV distribution network, seven substations, control centres and a dedicated 27 km gas line Owaza gas station in Ukwa West Local Government of Abia State.
- Nigeria’s former Minister of Power, Professor Bartholomew Nnaji, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Geometric Power, while Agatha Nnaji is the Managing Director of Geometric Power.
- Geometric Power was established in 2000 and provides services in project management, power distribution, and power generation. It is the first indigenous power-generating company in Nigeria.