NDPHC unlocks 625MW, targets energy access despite sector challenges

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Engr. Jennifer Adighije, has said the company is making strategic advances to improve energy access and address long-standing bottlenecks in Nigeria’s electricity supply chain, despite daunting operational and financial challenges.

Speaking in Abuja, Adighije disclosed that the new management team has successfully resuscitated five turbine units across the Calabar, Omotosho, Sapele, and Ihovbor power plants.

These revived units have injected an additional 625 megawatts (MW) of electricity into the national grid, bringing NDPHC’s total mechanically available generation capacity to about 2,000MW.

However, she lamented that a significant portion of this capacity remains stranded due to persistent issues including transmission constraints, limited gas supply, and a staggering N600 billion debt owed by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) and other bilateral entities.

“Our plants face serious operational restrictions due to low demand from distribution companies and inadequate wheeling capacity.

Power generation is demand-driven, and when there is no demand or insufficient transmission infrastructure, our turbines simply cannot operate,” Adighije stated.

She also criticized the lack of compensation for ancillary services provided by NDPHC’s National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs), which are regularly used by system operators to stabilize the grid.

These units are often started up or shut down without notice or remuneration, placing operational strain on the infrastructure.

Despite these setbacks, NDPHC continues to invest in the power sector’s backbone.

Adighije revealed that the company has spent over N500 billion on transmission projects since inception, including the deployment of transformers, substations, switch gears, and transmission lines, many of which are now operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Addressing the status of the Alaoji Power Plant, she explained that the station was temporarily shut down due to a gas supply metering dispute.

She assured the public that the plant will return to operation before the end of the year as efforts to restore the Gas Metering Station are nearing completion.

Adighije also expressed frustration over NDPHC’s inability to secure a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with NBET, which has relegated the company to the lowest dispatch priority despite its capacity.

“This situation severely affects our finances and prevents us from operating optimally,” she added.

To mitigate these issues, NDPHC is now leveraging a recent order from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) which allows generation companies to engage in bilateral agreements with eligible customers.

According to Adighije, the company is finalizing several such deals to commercialize its stranded power and bring electricity to underserved communities.

“Our new strategy is focused on unlocking stranded capacity and delivering energy directly to those who need it most through bilateral arrangements,” she said.

“This move is essential to achieving broader energy inclusion and sustaining NDPHC’s role in stabilizing Nigeria’s power sector.”

Engr. Adighije reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting national grid expansion and ensuring that no community is left behind in the quest for reliable electricity.