NNPC, gas producers partner to boost supply for GenCos

Chinazor Megbolu

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is partnering with gas producers in the country in a bid to supply gas for electricity generation companies (GenCos).

The Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, NNPC, Mr. Yusuf Usman, speaking in Lagos during a facility visit of Egbin power plant, said the corporation was committed to deepening gas usage in Nigeria and supply of gas to power.

According to him; “I have listened to all the concerns you raised. An area of concern to me is when you talked about the gas constraints. We are going to support you to make sure that the power supply is steady. We are having a session with gas suppliers in this regard.

“I am aware that works are ongoing in this regard to ensure that all the power we generate is safely evacuated”.

He also noted the turnaround of the thermal power station, which is the biggest in Sub Saharan Africa post privatisation.

“The visit has been an eye-opener for me. We have seen turbines that have been running for over 40 years. We have seen efforts being made by Egbin management to effect a turnaround at the plant through an overhaul of the entire system.

“We have also seen the support you have been giving to the youths through employment and capacity development opportunities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman Board of Directors, Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, in his address, said the organisation was planning to add between 1,750 megawatts (MW) and 1,900MW to the nation’s power generation pool.

He said the plant had gone through major overhauling, that helped to boost its generation from the low capacity it had before it was privatised in 2013.

According to him; “Egbin has 1,320MW capacity. As at the time we took over, the plant was generating 300MW which is abysmal 22 per cent. As of today, our generation capacity has surged and we are doing 89 percent.

“We have reached the highest peak of 970MW and we are working hard to ensure sustainability of this feat.

“The 970MW we hit is the highest recorded this year and based on our core value of sustainability, we are working round the clock to make sure that we sustain the gains, which we have made”.

Sonubi further hinted that stakeholders including the NNPC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) have been working tirelessly and collaboratively to tackle the issue of of epileptic power supply in the country.