Aba Power Ltd, a subsidiary of Geometric Power, is set to commence supplying power from one of its three turbines to consumers in the Aba Ring-fenced Area this weekend, a week earlier than initially planned.
The company had originally scheduled power supply to commercial customers for two weeks after commissioning, in adherence to technical protocols. However, sources reveal that Professor Bart Nnaji, the chairman of the company and former Minister of Power, has directed the utility’s engineers to expedite the process and ensure power delivery “without fail” this weekend.
The Geometric Power 188 Megawatt thermal plant, along with the Aba Power company tasked with distributing electricity to nine out of the 17 local government areas in Abia State, was inaugurated last Monday by Vice President Kassim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu. This occurred just 24 hours after the first turbine was activated in the Osisioma Industrial Layout in Aba, Abia State.
According to insiders, Nnaji emphasized the elimination of non-critical technical procedures during a meeting with the company’s engineers, prompting accelerated action.
Officials from the National Control Centre (NCC) in Oshogbo, Osun State, were initially scheduled to inspect the Geometric Power facility next week. However, sources indicate that due to Nnaji’s influence, the inspection will now take place this week.
Upon the commencement of operations, one of Geometric Power’s three turbines, built by General Electric of the United States, will supply 47MW of electricity, nearly double the current 25MW received by the Aba Metropolis and environs from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) via the national grid.
Cliff Eneh, an energy consultant and former senior engineer with the National Power Authority (NEPA), explained that the second turbine will further increase power supply to the Aba Ring-fenced area to 94MW, meeting the energy requirements of the city and stabilizing power supply.
The significant improvement in power supply holds promise for industrial growth, with companies like Neimeth Pharmaceuticals plc considering relocating manufacturing plants to Aba upon substantial improvement in electricity supply.
Acknowledging Geometric Power’s potential, Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu announced at the commissioning ceremony that the Federal Government would closely monitor the company’s performance, intending to use it as a business model for revitalizing the Nigerian power sector.
