The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has commenced the rehabilitation of the 225-megawatt Gbarain National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in Bayelsa State, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to recover stranded power generation assets and strengthen electricity supply.
The company formally handed over the gas-fired power plant to the original equipment manufacturer, Schneider Electric/TILT Energy, with rehabilitation works expected to be completed within 12 months.
The restoration project forms part of NDPHC’s broader strategy to increase available generation capacity, improve grid reliability and maximise the value of investments made under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), a Federal Government initiative established to address Nigeria’s longstanding electricity supply deficit.
NDPHC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, led the company’s management team in issuing the Notice to Proceed and formally handing over the project site. She was accompanied by the Executive Director, Generation, Engr. Abdullahi Kassim, and other senior executives.
The Gbarain power plant has remained idle since November 2020 after a major fire severely damaged its Power Control Module shortly before the facility was due for commissioning. The incident prevented the 225MW plant from entering commercial operation, leaving its entire capacity unavailable to Nigeria’s electricity grid amid persistent power shortages.
Following the completion of statutory approvals and the resolution of technical, contractual and administrative challenges, NDPHC said the long-delayed restoration programme has now entered the execution phase.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Adighije praised the project team for overcoming years of obstacles to reach implementation and urged contractors, consultants and other stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure timely delivery.
She stressed that NDPHC would maintain zero tolerance for delays, noting that restoring the Gbarain plant is critical to improving generation availability, enhancing grid stability and providing more reliable electricity to homes and businesses.
According to her, the rehabilitation aligns with the Federal Government’s objective of expanding electricity supply by optimising existing generation assets rather than relying solely on new infrastructure investments.
Providing technical details, NDPHC’s General Manager, Generation Projects, Engr. Ginsau Idris, explained that the 2020 fire extensively damaged the plant’s Power Control Module, making a complete replacement necessary. He expressed confidence that the contractors and consultants have the technical expertise and clear understanding of their responsibilities to complete the project within schedule.
Executive Director, Generation, Engr. Abdullahi Kassim, described the fire as a major setback, noting that it occurred only months before the plant was scheduled for commissioning. He credited Adighije’s leadership with reviving the stalled project and driving it to the implementation stage.
Kassim also disclosed that complementary infrastructure, including access roads and support facilities, is being developed alongside the rehabilitation works. He described the Gbarain facility as a strategic national asset due to its proximity to abundant natural gas resources in the Niger Delta, positioning it to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s power generation capacity once operational.
Schneider Electric/TILT Energy and its Nigerian technical partner have committed to an accelerated execution programme, with the project expected to be completed within, and potentially ahead of, the 12-month timeline.
Managing Director of TILT Energy Limited, Mr. Deji Awodeji, assured stakeholders that the joint venture would deliver the project on schedule while maintaining international standards for engineering quality, safety and operational excellence.
Under Adighije’s leadership, NDPHC has intensified efforts to restore stranded and underutilised generation assets across its portfolio through targeted rehabilitation, operational optimisation and strategic investments aimed at increasing electricity generation efficiency.
Once restored and commissioned, the 225MW Gbarain power plant is expected to add significant capacity to Nigeria’s national grid, improve electricity reliability, support industrial productivity and strengthen the country’s energy security. The project also reinforces NDPHC’s mandate to maximise the commercial value of investments made under the National Integrated Power Project by returning dormant power assets to productive operation.
