The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) says it has officially handed over the rehabilitation of its Gbarain power plant in Bayelsa to TILT Energy Limited and Schneider Electric.

The company said the handover was for the replacement of the plant’s burnt power control module (PCM), marking a significant milestone in efforts to restore the 225 megawatt facility.

Nazo Agim, head of corporate communication and external relations, NDPHC, announced this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Agim quoted Ginsau Idris, NDPHC’s general manager, generation projects, during the handover as saying that the PCM was extensively damaged by fire, making its replacement imperative.

He expressed confidence in the contractors, noting that all parties clearly understood their responsibilities and were committed to delivering the project successfully and on schedule.

NDPHC’s executive director of generation, Abdullahi Kassim, recalled that the PCM was destroyed by fire in November 2020, months before the plant was due for inauguration, describing the incident as a major setback to the project.

He commended the NDPHC managing director, Jennifer Adighije, for championing the project’s revival.

Mr Kassim said complementary infrastructure, including access roads and support buildings, was under construction, describing the power plant as a strategic asset because of its proximity to the gas supply.

Ms Adighije said that the project was prioritised after the power plant was identified as a “low-hanging fruit” capable of delivering a quick boost to electricity generation.

She explained that the NDPHC secured the necessary approvals and funding in record time and expressed confidence in the contractors’ capacity to execute the project successfully.

According to her, replacing the burnt PCM will pave the way for the inauguration of the power plant, thereby strengthening the electricity supply and supporting the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Deji Awodeji, managing director of TILT Energy Limited, assured stakeholders that the joint venture would complete the rehabilitation within, and possibly ahead of the 12-month project timeline without compromising quality.

He reaffirmed the partners’ commitment to restoring the plant to operation as quickly as possible.

(NAN)