Geregu Power Plant Commences Four-Week Maintenance — NDPHC

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has announced the commencement of a scheduled four-week maintenance exercise at the Geregu Power Plant in Kogi State, aimed at enhancing operational reliability, generation efficiency, and long-term performance of the facility.According to the company, the maintenance began earlier this week and is expected to last for about a month, during which some turbines and auxiliary equipment will undergo detailed inspection, servicing, and replacement of worn-out components. The exercise, NDPHC noted, is part of its preventive maintenance programme to ensure optimal power generation and avoid unplanned outages that could affect the national grid.

Speaking on the development, the Executive Director of Generation at NDPHC, Engineer Joseph Ojekwe, said the maintenance schedule was deliberately planned to align with the national grid’s demand management system to minimise disruptions. He explained that the Geregu Power Plant, which contributes a significant percentage to the national electricity supply, would temporarily reduce its generation capacity during the exercise.

“This routine maintenance is critical to sustaining efficiency and ensuring that the plant operates at peak capacity once it returns to full operation. Our engineers, in collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), are currently on-site carrying out inspection, calibration, and system optimisation works on the gas turbines,” Ojekwe stated.

He added that the intervention was part of the company’s broader strategy to improve performance across all NDPHC generation assets. “We have adopted a strict maintenance schedule for all our power plants nationwide to guarantee reliability and sustainability in electricity generation. Geregu is an important component of the national grid, and this maintenance will strengthen its operational capacity,” he said.

The NDPHC further assured Nigerians that efforts were being made to mitigate the impact of the temporary shutdown on power supply. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and other generation companies have been mobilised to ensure supply stability while the Geregu plant undergoes the necessary maintenance.

Engr. Ojekwe emphasised that such scheduled downtimes were standard practice in power generation management and were crucial for safety and operational excellence. “Maintenance is not downtime; it is investment in performance. Once this process is completed, we expect improved generation efficiency, reduced forced outages, and enhanced reliability for consumers,” he explained.

Industry experts have lauded the proactive approach of NDPHC, noting that regular maintenance is essential to achieving energy stability and sustainability. According to energy analyst Dr. Ibrahim Sule, “Many of Nigeria’s generation plants often suffer from neglect and delayed servicing, which lead to breakdowns and generation shortfalls. NDPHC’s move is a good example of planned maintenance that will improve overall power reliability.”

The Geregu Power Plant, one of Nigeria’s major gas-fired facilities, plays a vital role in stabilising electricity supply to key industrial and residential areas. Commissioned in 2007, the plant has an installed capacity of 414 megawatts and serves as one of the backbone power stations feeding into the national grid through the TCN.

In recent years, the NDPHC has focused on improving efficiency across its power plants by modernising control systems, training personnel, and enhancing collaboration with gas suppliers to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply. The company has also invested in digital monitoring systems that allow real-time performance tracking and early fault detection.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Chiedu Ugbo, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to transparency and reliability in its operations. He stated that NDPHC was determined to uphold the highest standards of operational integrity and efficiency in Nigeria’s power sector.

“Our focus is long-term sustainability. This maintenance is part of our broader goal to ensure that all our assets operate efficiently and contribute effectively to national development. We are also improving our communication with stakeholders to ensure transparency in every aspect of our operations,” Ugbo said.

He further disclosed that the Geregu maintenance schedule had been approved and coordinated with relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and TCN, to avoid grid instability. Ugbo assured that once the work was completed, the plant would return to service with improved output capacity.

NDPHC also highlighted that similar maintenance exercises would be carried out in other power plants under its management in the coming months as part of its structured asset management strategy. This initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s energy transition goals and the push for improved generation capacity across the country.

Meanwhile, the company urged electricity consumers to bear with temporary power fluctuations during the maintenance period, assuring that the long-term benefits of the exercise would outweigh any short-term inconvenience. It further pledged to keep the public updated on the progress of the maintenance work through periodic briefings and reports.

With Nigeria’s current power generation fluctuating around 4,000 to 4,500 megawatts, experts say that maintaining operational plants like Geregu is vital to sustaining supply and meeting increasing demand. The NDPHC’s emphasis on proactive maintenance, rather than reactive repairs, signals a shift toward better management of the country’s critical power infrastructure.

 

The Geregu Power Plant maintenance, expected to last four weeks, represents another step in the company’s broader effort to stabilise electricity supply, strengthen energy security, and support industrial growth nationwide. Upon completion, the plant is projected to return to full operational capacity, contributing more efficiently to Nigeria’s power generation mix and advancing the goal of reliable electricity for all.