In his quest to ensure that Nigerians enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan inaugurated the Geregu II gas power plant in Kogi State yesterday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the power plant, President Goodluck Jonathan described the plant as part of his administration’s efforts to provide stable power for the entire populace.

“In the months ahead, I will be inaugurating a number of NIPP plants that will add close to 5,000MW to the national grid.

 “The dream of Nigerians that one day the epileptic power challenge will be over is gradually becoming a reality.”

The Geregu II plant, which has the ability to provide 434 megawatts of electricity, is one of the ten National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) plants, scheduled for inauguration with Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited in charge.

Apart from Geregu II, the other NIPP plants, which are now in the process of being sold to private sector operators include, Calabar (630MW), Egbema (378MW), and Ihovbor (504MW).

Others are Gbarain (252MW), Sapele (504MW), Omoku (252MW), Alaoji (107MW), Olorunsogo (750MW), and Omotosho (500MW).

The 10 gas-fired power plants are currently being sold by the Bureau of Public Enterprises in conjunction with the NDPHC, and are expected to be handed over to private sector core investors by June 2014.

In his address, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Mr. James Olotu, explained that the projects were accompanied with gas pipeline constructions from the ELP system and the gas fields at Adanga offshore, Izonbe, Gbarain-Ubie, Oredo and Oben to power the plants.

On Geregu II, Mr. Olotu said, “The power station consists of three Siemens SGTS-2000E gas turbines in simple-cycle mode with a designed combined site rating of 434MW. Messrs Siemens AG and Siemens Limited Nigeria were awarded the engineering, procurement and construction contract in March 2010 on a turnkey basis with a completion time of 27 months.

 “The first turbine unit plus the common systems went into full commercial operation upon the conclusion of final completion tests on April 3, 2013, while the other two units were completed and put to commercial use on May 14, 2013.”

Also at the occasion, Professor Chinedu Nebo, the Minister of Power, said the NIPP plants were already adding 1,600MW to the national grid, adding that all segments of the power chain which include transmission and distribution shall be addressed by the ministry.

The host Governor, Captain Idris Wada of Kogi State, said the Geregu II plant displayed the zeal of President Jonathan-led administration to transform the power sector.