The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has commenced the rehabilitation of the 225-megawatt (MW) Gbarain Power Plant in Bayelsa State, reviving a long-idled generation asset in a move expected to strengthen electricity supply and improve grid reliability in Nigeria.
The project officially began on July 9, following the issuance of a Notice to Proceed (NTP) and the formal handover of the project site to a joint venture between TILT Energy Limited and Schneider Electric. The ceremony was led by NDPHC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, alongside the company’s Executive Director of Generation, Engr. Abdullahi Kassim, senior management, contractors and other project stakeholders.
The Gbarain facility, developed under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), has remained out of operation since a fire damaged its Power Control Module (PCM), the automated system that monitors and controls the plant’s operations before commercial commissioning. The incident left one of Nigeria’s key gas-fired generation assets stranded, reducing available capacity on the national grid.
Speaking during the project handover, NDPHC’s General Manager for Generation Projects, Engr. Ginsau Idris, said the extent of the damage made the complete replacement of the control module unavoidable. He expressed confidence that the contractors fully understood the project’s technical requirements and would deliver the work within the agreed schedule.
Kassim described the fire incident as a major setback to NDPHC’s generation expansion plans but said the rehabilitation marks a fresh chapter for the company. He noted that supporting infrastructure, including access roads and auxiliary facilities, is also under construction to ensure the plant is fully operational upon completion.
He added that the Gbarain Power Plant remains strategically important because of its proximity to abundant natural gas resources in the Niger Delta, reducing fuel supply constraints that affect several thermal power stations across the country.
Managing Director of TILT Energy Limited, Deji Awodeji, assured stakeholders that the joint venture would complete the rehabilitation within the 12-month contractual timeline while maintaining international engineering and quality standards.
Adighije said the project was prioritised because it represented a “low-hanging fruit” capable of delivering additional generation capacity without the long development timelines associated with building new power plants. According to her, NDPHC secured the required approvals and funding in record time to accelerate the rehabilitation programme.
She said restoring the plant aligns with the company’s broader strategy of maximising existing assets, improving generation availability and supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to expand access to reliable electricity.
Once completed, the Gbarain Power Plant will contribute a net 225MW to Nigeria’s electricity grid. The station is equipped with two GE Frame 9E gas turbines with a gross installed capacity of 253.8MW (ISO rating) and a net export capacity of 225MW. Its return to service is expected to support industrial production, reduce power supply constraints and enhance overall grid stability as Nigeria continues reforms aimed at improving electricity generation and transmission.
