Negris, LASG launch 10 Mw bi-fuel IPP in Lagos

BY YEMIE ADEOYE

In an effort aimed at ameliorating the stress faced by Lagosians due to incessant power outages, the Negris group in conjunction with the Lagos state government has completed and launched the first truly independent 10 Megawatts bi-fuel power generating plant, thereby taking some of its citizens off the national grid.

Thermal power plant

According to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state who officially commissioned the project during the week, the project immediately puts out of use a minimum of 30 diesel generating sets of between 100–1,000 KVA each, eliminating the inevitable pollution; noise and carbon monoxide caused by generators. “This plant also has a vast cost saving component to the state government of 46 percent over project whole life cycle.”

Also speaking Abidoye Ayoola, Executive Vice Chairman, Negris Group said the Independent Power Plant (IPP) which is being commissioned has an initial capacity to generate 10MW of electricity to be supplied to the target consumers on a continuous basis. “The plant is dedicated to critical Lagos State Government institutions as well as to power street lights in Lagos Island. The scope of the off take agreement covers generation, medium voltage distribution and supply of electricity on a twenty-four hourly basis.” He said.

“Furthermore, this plant is conceived and engineered to fire primarily on gas(CNG at the beginning,) with the option to run on liquid fuel such as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or diesel) in the event gas is not available. The plant is therefore bi-fuel designed.

The layout allows for ease of expansion to be able to meet the demand for electricity by consumers in the Lagos Island who cannot be served from the limited initial capacity. Numerous enquiries in this respect have been received.

We thank the Governor of Lagos State for the vision that led to the actualization of this project. It is even more endearing that the administration of his Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, believes and promotes Public Private Partnerships (PPP) as a strategy for tackling the critical infrastructure deficit at all levels of governance.”

Ayoola noted that the project is a practical expression in the quest to solve the perennial electricity supply shortages which have hampered the quality of life of the people and the growth of the economy.

The project fits into the framework of the power sector reform agenda which was launched a few months ago by President, Goodluck Jonathan

“We also thank Messrs Fidelity Bank Plc for their financial support and timely disbursements for this project.

Finally, we thank the Lagos State Government, particularly the Power Committee for choosing our company after a rigorous process of evaluation. We recall the numerous negotiation/clarification meetings, presentations to the State Executive Council, the arguments and counter-arguments which preceded and led to the Power Off-take Agreement, and construction of this plant. We assure you that the confidence reposed in us is not misplaced through the construction and performance of this plant.

Your Excellency, you can count on NEGRIS Group to continue to support your government in the quest to provide reliable electricity to the people of Lagos State” he said.

Responding, an elated Governor Fashola said “We thought through the problem of powering critical public facilities like court houses and hospitals. We searched diligently for practical solutions.

We subsequently found and collaborated with a reputable independent power producer. The result of that partnership is this 10MW electricity generating facility, the Island Power Project.

The initiative of this project was induced by the necessity to consolidate the Justice Sector Reform agenda of the Lagos State Government. It was originally designed as a scheme which we tagged “powering justice” proposed to supply electricity only to the Lagos State Government Court facilities in the Lagos Island axis, High Court (Igbosere and Annex at TBS) and JIC Taylor Court House at Igbosere. The project was subsequently expanded to accommodate government health facilities and street lights on 20 streets along that corridor.

This facility, built to highest global thermal operating plant standards will now provide 24 hours constant power supply to public facilities within the Lagos Island axis.

The project which includes an 18km dedicated underground distribution network will supply power to the General Hospital (Lagos Island), the High Court, High Court Annex JIC Taylor Court House, Igbosere; Maternity Hospital and the State House in Marina”.