GE Turbines in 140-Megawatt Nigerian Model Power Project

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Geometric Power Limited (GPL) of Nigeria is going the fast-track packaged gas turbine route to help to fill an 80% power shortfall in Aba, the commercial capital city of Abia state in the southeastern part of the country. GPL has purchased three GE Energy LM6000-PD SPRINT aeroderivative gas turbines for the pilot or "reference" project, which it aims to use as a model to revolutionize the power sector in Nigeria. Commercial operation is expected to start by the fourth quarter of 2008 following the laying of the project foundation stone in November 2007.

The three gas turbines each rated at 47 megawatts (MW) will operate at simple cycle at base load on natural gas. As a power unit they are expected to save the average manufacturing company, currently running its own "stand-by" generating sets, more than 65% in electricity costs. GPL says Aba is suitable for this first industry centered independent power plant as it already has a gas pipeline and a large cluster of viable companies needing secure power supply. Several of these companies are poised to expand production capacity and that shutdown because of power supply problems are expected to come back on stream after the completion of the power plant. GPL will guarantee power supply to all of its industrial customers.

Shell Nigeria Gas Limited will supply the gas feed and GPL is working with South Africa's Group Five Construction and suppliers to construct the $250 million power plant project and distribution network in Aba. The aim is to complement the Nigerian government's efforts to close the energy gap as fast as possible and free industrialists from the negative drag of power outs. GPL has a strategic partnership with the Bureau of Public Enterprises which is will assist in achieving the objectives of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act.

The project is financed by international investors led by the International Finance Corporation. These include World Bank, European Investment Bank, Shell Nigeria Gas and Aba industry owners and members of the community.

Charles Blankenship, General Manager of GE's aeroderivative division, said that GPL will benefit from the high simple-cycle efficiency and availability of the LM60000 as well as GE Energy's (NYSE:GE) (Fairfield, Connecticut) vast experience.

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