From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), is preparing to transition to the second phase of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), with a focus on the renewable energy investments in the Northern region.
In a statement issued and signed by the Head, Corporate Communication and External Relations, (NDPHC), Nazo Agim, said, it is right time to extend focus on Mini-Hydro Projects to the northern region.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, disclosed this on recently in Abuja during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Power led by its Chairman Hon. Victor Nwokolo.
She said NIPP Phase 2 would diversify the country’s generation mix by tapping solar, mini-hydropower and other renewable resources in the North, including off-grid solutions to close supply gaps.
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Adighije explained that Phase 1 remains anchored on gas-fired generation. Saying , NDPHC currently contributed about 4,000 megawatts to the national installed capacity of roughly 12,000MW, or 30 per cent. Under Phase 1 the company built 10 power plants, with seven commercially operational, two under construction and one undergoing upgrades.
In transmission and distribution, NDPHC has completed 120 projects, 60 at 330kV, 31 at 132kV and 37 expansions with transformer capacity above 10,000MVA, alongside hundreds of distribution interventions nationwide.
She listed early gains in her first 100 days, which includes the recovery of 110 abandoned containers and 216 packages valued at over N30 billion. The company also recovered about $12 million from cross-border bilateral customers in Togo out of more than $50 million outstanding, and restored several turbines that added about 470MW to the grid.
Despite the progress, Adighije cited transmission constraints, low tariffs, poor market settlements, gas supply issues, vandalism and unpaid debts as key challenges.
The MD further asserted that NDPHC has more than 1,500MW of mechanically available capacity but receives a dispatch of only about 500MW hourly, leaving significant stranded capacity that has cost the company over N300 billion.
This, She urged for a review of the dispatch merit order and appealed for intervention on debts owed by market participants, including over N400 billion owed by NBET, and for settlement of obligations tied to assets recognised in TCN’s regulated asset base.
Responding, Committee Chairman Nwokolo, commended NDPHC’s work across the value chain and cited the Alaoji plant as an example of proactive management. He stressed that generation, transmission and distribution must function together, and pledged legislative support to address the issues raised.
Nwokolo also said, the oversight was aimed at understanding challenges and finding solutions, not confrontation, and noted that such engagements help agencies showcase achievements while receiving needed backing.
