NNPC, Agip JV commit to 480MW increase in power generation

The Federal government aspiration to increase power generation across the national grid have received a boost. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Joint Venture says the completion of its Okpai Phase II Independent Power Project (IPP) by 2019 would provide 480 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Maikanti Kacalla Baru. Group Managing Director of NNPC Baru said all partners were working round the clock to deliver on the project in terms of specifications, time and budget.

Baru while speaking at the inauguration of the Okpai Phase II power project in Abuja said the decision by the partners to embark on the second phase of the Okpai power project was hinged on the enormous success of Okpai Phase I, which he described as the most consistent power plant in the country.

According to a release by Ndu Ughamadu, Group General Manager,Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Abuja “Although the Okpai Phase I was meant to generate 450MW into national grid, it is now generating an average of 300MW due to evacuation challenge. This is a significant addition to the national grid.”

Baru further said the Okpai Phase II project, on completion, would generate additional 480MW into the national grid.

He charged the 12-man committee to work hard and explore the possibility of delivering the project ahead of the 2019 target date, stressing that the project was very critical to the nation’s power aspirations.

The GMD also urged the JV partners to sustain the march towards transforming into an Independent JV in keeping with Presidential approval.

Massimo Insula, managing director of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), who was represented by Luca Bai, said everything had been put in place to ensure that the Okpai Phase II Project was delivered on schedule.

In his remarks, Omamofe Boyo, deputy CEO of Oando, said his company was committed to sustaining the successes recorded in Phase I of the project, assuring that they would work with other partners to ensure prompt and timely delivery of the project.