First Independent Power Limited (FIPL), has signed a long-term contract with General Electric (GE) for the maintenance of its GT 13E2 Gas Turbine until 2031. This strategic partnership signifies a major milestone in FIPL’s mission to provide reliable and efficient power generation to Nigerians.
The contract signing ceremony was a hybrid event, integrating both virtual and onsite attendees. Kenechukwu Nwangwu, FIPL’s CEO led the FIPL team comprising Olurotimi Famoroti, the chief corporate services Officer, Obafemi Abidoye, the chief finance officer and other members of the management team to put pen to paper alongside their GE counterparts.
Speaking on the importance of the strategic partnership, FIPL’s CEO said, “This alliance with GE not only strengthens our commitment to providing reliable power solutions but also reaffirms our dedication to embracing cutting-edge technologies and industry best practices. Together, we will continue to drive sustainable growth and contribute to a cleaner future.”
Nwangwu added that collaboration between FIPL and GE, promises more efficiency, availability and overall sustainability of the gas turbine. “This will also ensure more stability to the National grid and give more electricity to Nigerians,” he stated.
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Kenneth Oyakhire, managing director of services at GE Vernova’s Gas Power in Sun-Sahara Africa described the partnership as one that would transform power generation in Nigeria in line with GE’s pledge to deliver a sustainable and energy-efficient future.
“We are delighted about this alliance with FIPL and look forward to the resultant positive impact on the power generation landscape, as both companies combine their expertise and resources to drive innovation and efficiency,” Oyakhire said.
In August, BusinessDay reported construction has begun on a major natural gas-fired power plant in Nigeria, part of a plan by the country’s government to help improve the supply of electricity amid frequent power shortages.
The 1,350-MW Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant, which will burn domestically sourced gas, is expected to provide about 11 per cent of the country’s electricity once the facility is fully operational.
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The plant near the Nigerian capital of Abuja will be built in three phases, with GE Vernova among three groups leading the facility’s engineering and construction.
State oil firm NNPC said the first phase of construction began on August 4. The facility is the first major energy project developed under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, who took office in late May.
Nigeria, which has the largest economy and the largest population—about 224 million—in Africa, is one of several countries on the continent struggling with inadequate power generation capacity and a power grid prone to disruptions.
Mele Kyari, chief executive of NNPC, in a news conference, said the Gwagwalada plant would enable the country to “monetize our abundant gas resources.” Nigeria has the largest reserves of natural gas on the continent and is among the top 10 exporters of liquefied natural gas.
NNPC officials said the first phase of the plant, being built by GE Vernova and China Mechanical Engineering Corp. in partnership with NNPC, is expected to be completed next year.
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