Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL), has recruited ANDRITZ, an Austrian firm,to rehabilitate, overhaul and modernise two generating units, 2G5 and 2G6, at the Jebba hydropower plant as well as the Kainji facility.
The company explained that the move was in line with its capacity recovery and expansion programme.
Jebba was commissioned in 1985, while the second plant, Kainji opened in 1968 to generate 20 per cent of Nigeria’s power sector.
It added that the Kainji andJebba hydropower plants have a combined installed generation capacity of 1,338.4 MW.It noted that both were acquired through a concession agreement with the federal government of Nigeria in November 2013
It said:“The two plants are in a cascade 100 km apart with Kainji Dam upstream of Jebba and are rated at 760 MW and 578.4 MW, respectively. Kainji was commissioned as Nigeria’s first hydropower plant in 1968, whereas Jebba was commissioned in 1985.
“When the power plants were taken over, Jebba was not operating at full power and Kainji was not generating at all. As a result, the total available capacity of both plants was only 482 MW. In response, MESL introduced its Capacity Recovery and Expansion Programme to restore both generating facilities and bring them back to full power,” the firm stated.
The firm said that work had already commenced at the Jebba hydropower plant which houses six generating units, of which two now need a general overhaul.
“In mid-2019, the senior management team of MESL visited ANDRITZ’ locations in Austria to get an impression of our extensive R&D, manufacturing and engineering facilities.
“During the visit a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed agreeing to negotiate the scope for the rehabilitation of unit 2G6 of the Jebba hydropower plant as well as the overhaul of units 2G5, 2G3, 2G2 and 2G1, including their associated equipment.
“In February 2020, ANDRITZ received the first major contract for the 2G6 project. The scope of supply covers the entire electro- and hydro-mechanical equipment, including a 96.4 MW turbine, a 103 MVA generator, and accessory equipment, as well as the intake gate.
“In September 2021, a second order for the rehabilitation of the 2G5 unit with an identical scope of supply was awarded. Both units are expected to be operational in 2024,” Mainstream stated.It stressed that Jebba is currently equipped with six 96.4 MW turbines and has a total generating capacity of 578.4 MW while ANDRITZ is the original equipment supplier for the turbines.
The company said it would also partner ANDRITZ to provide technical services in its bid to acquire more power generation assets within Nigeria and beyond.
According to the company,ANDRITZ, has been active in Nigeria for more than 100 years and was involved in Nigeria’s most important hydropower projects such as Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro and the recently commissioned Kashimbila project.
It added:“Taking account of the development of the hydropower market and in order to strengthen its position in the very promising Nigerian region, ANDRITZ has established a legal entity in Nigeria”
