NIGERIA – Technology group Andritz has been commissioned by Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd to modernize a generation unit at Jebba hydroelectric power plant on the Niger River.
Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd is a privately owned power generating company in Nigeria, licenced to operate the Kainji and Jebba hydroelectric power plants through a concession agreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The contract is valued at more than US$36 million (€30 million). Commissioning is planned for the beginning of 2024.
The Jebba hydroelectric power plant is located in Niger State in the north-central part of Nigeria and was originally commissioned in 1985. It is situated 100kms downstream of the Kainji hydroelectric power plant and is equipped with six fixed blade propeller-type turbines with a generating capacity of 96.4MW each.
This results in a total installed capacity of 578.4MW. Five of the units are available for generation but the sixth has been out of operation since a fire in April 2009.
The new equipment will repower the hydro plant and boost the energy production of Nigeria. Power Africa says while Nigeria has an installed capacity of 12,522MW (2,380MW of that being hydropower), on any given day it only generates around 4,000MW.
Jebba has not only been affected by one downed turbine, but also by water management constraints on the River Niger dam.
The objective of the general rehabilitation programme will be to extend equipment service life for the next 40 years, improve reliability and ensure compliance of the frequency and voltage regulation with the national grid code.
Andritz will supply and service the entire electro-mechanical and hydro-mechanical equipment for unit 2G6, including a 96.4MW turbine, a 103MVA generator, transformer, outdoor switchyard and accessory equipment and the intake gate.
The renovated power station should support the electrification process in Nigeria. In this country of more than 196 million inhabitants, barely 56.5% of the population has access to electricity according to the 2018 report of the World Bank.
The Nigerian government aims to reach an installed capacity of 30,000 MW by 2030. At least 30% of this capacity will be produced from renewable sources.
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