The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Jennifer Adighije, has announced the restoration of the 450-megawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State to the national grid after a three-year shutdown triggered by gas supply disruption and metering disputes.

The development restores a major generation asset to Nigeria’s electricity network, with three rehabilitated generating units now positioned to contribute about 375 megawatts to the grid as the company moves to revive stranded capacity and improve supply.

Adighije disclosed this during a meeting with the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, during which he briefed him on the company’s efforts to return the plant to operation.

She explained that the plant was shut down in 2023 following discrepancies between metering and trading points, a development that led gas supplier, TotalEnergies, to suspend gas supply to the facility, noting that the challenge was further worsened by outstanding financial obligations.

According to her, reviving the Alaoji power station became one of the company’s immediate priorities following her assumption of office in 2024.

“The good news is that we have completed all remedial works on the defective gas line. We have also fully defrayed our outstanding obligations to TotalEnergies, and gas supply to the plant has now been restored,” she said.

Adighije further stated that extensive electromechanical rehabilitation work had been carried out on the facility, resulting in the successful restoration of three generating units: GT1, GT22, and GT23.

The units, she said, are currently available for dispatch and can contribute approximately 375 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.

She added that the plant already possesses sufficient transmission infrastructure with minimal evacuation limitations, describing Alaoji as a strategic generation asset capable of supporting broader efforts to improve electricity supply across the country.

Beyond the restoration works, the NDPHC boss commended reforms introduced by the Abia State Government in the power sector, particularly the Aba ring-fenced electricity arrangement and the establishment of the state electricity regulatory agency.

According to her, NDPHC is leveraging provisions of the Electricity Act and opportunities arising from the evolving bilateral electricity market to deepen partnerships with states and eligible customers to expand electricity access.