Electricity: Azura-Edo IPP to increase generation by 459MWs

Power generation will receive a boost with the addition of about 459megawatts to the national grid on completion of the Azura-Edo Independent Power Project (IPP).

The power project is an open cycle gas turbine power station being constructed near Benin City in Edo State

Speaking during an inspection visit of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET), a project management partner, to the project site in Edo State, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Azura Power West Africa Ltd, Mr David Ladipo said the project which was formerly slated to be completed in December, 2018 would now be ready by May.

According to him, the fast-tracking of the project time was as a result of prudent management of time and the transparency involved via day to day monitoring and assessment of progress.

“We have run 3.5 million man hours without the loss of working time. Normally,  as a big infrastructure project that is very complex and requires a lot of inputs in terms of labour, logistics, expertise among others, often times than not, such projects around the world are delivered behind schedule due to one thing or another,” Ladipo explained.

Ladipo disclosed that as part of Azura’s effort to encourage local content in its employment, over 97 percent of the employees who are about 1, 400 at peak but currently 1, 000 are Nigerians.

On her part, the Head, Corporate Communication of NBET, Henrietta Igonmrore expressed satisfaction with the project which is in its advanced stage of completion.

Azura-Edo IPP is phase 1 of a 1, 500mws facility located in a 120 hectare site, large enough to accommodate future expansion of the power plant.