Insufficient gas supply hampers operations of four power stations in Nigeria

• 11 years ago (2012-12-19)
• David Flin

Africa 303

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Despite claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that it has surplus gas for power generation, the operations of four power stations across Nigeria have been hampered by insufficient gas supply from the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), a subsidiary of NNPC.

Andrew Yakubu, Group Managing Director of NNPC, said that in line with the Federal Government’s aspiration, NNPC had exceeded the gas-to-power supply target. He also said that NNPC had made it a top priority to ensure that between 70-80 per cent of gas supply would be channelled to power generation to ensure a steady supply of electricity.

However, despite this claim, four of Nigeria’s gas-fired power stations are generating below capacity due to insufficient gas supply. It has also been suggested that there is no guarantee of gas supply for the newly completed power stations currently undergoing pre-commissioning tests.

The four power stations that were adversely affected by insufficient gas supply include: Geregu plant in Kogi State; National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) plant in Sapele in Delta State; NIPP plant in Omotosho in Ondo State; and NIPP plant in Olorunsogo in Ogun State. The 500 MW Olorunsogo plant, which has four units, has been generating around 100 MW, with units 1, 2, and 3 on standby due to insufficient gas supply from NGC.

The 375 MW Omotosho Plant, which has three units, is generating 117 MW because units 2 and 3 are on standby due to inadequate gas supply. The four unit, 375 MW Sapele Plant generates 227 MW, because unit 4 is on standby.