AKURE— CONSTRUCTION has commenced on the N25b, 335-mega watt gas turbine power station jointly financed by the Federal Government and China to boost power generation in the country in Omotosho, Odigbo local government area of Ondo State.
The minister of power and steel Senator Liyel Imoke at the ground-breaking ceremony of the multi billion-naira project said it would be completed within 27 months.
It is to be undertaken by CMEC International Engineering Company Limited China and will also include the construction of transmission facilities for connection to the NEPA grid.
Imoke said that the power plant would be implemented in two phases with the first capacity becoming available in 13 months.
He explained that the ground breaking of the 414mw power plant in Ajaokuta was done last week Friday, while that of the 670mw power plant at Papalanto in Ogun State would be done tomorrow (Monday).
The expansion of the country's installed capacity through the projects; Imoke added was aimed at increasing the power generation capacity by 3000mw.
According to him, the project was designed “to pay for itself over a period of 10 years after the initial down payment already made by the federal government to start the project.
“The project including the transmission, evacuation into the grid is costing over N25b and it is going to be partly financed by a credit facility from the China Exim Bank”.
Speaking on the choice of the project, the minister said that Omotosho was chosen because of its proximity to the transmission grid and the existing gas pipeline.
According to him “Ondo is also a good location because it provides a good balance to the spread of generation throughout the country and would promote efficient and optimum delivery of the country’s stock of generated power.
The managing Director of NEPA Engineer Joseph Makoju said that the power plant of GE Frame 6 units manufactured under license in China are single cycle gas fired units equipped with dry air filters.
Makoju lauded the contractors CMEC-SEPCO and the government of China for the part they played in securing part funding for the project from the China Exim Bank
“Without this funding support, it is doubtful if this project would have come this far, we urge other contractors in the power sector to look for ways of securing funding in whole or in part, for the execution of major projects of this nature”.
The state governor, Dr Olusegun Agagu assured that the local community will ensure a peaceful environment during and after the construction of the power plant.
