Heirs Energies Restores Gas Supply to Aba Geometric Power Plant as Electricity Supply Improves

There is renewed optimism over electricity supply in Aba and surrounding communities following the completion of Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) by Heirs Energies at its Associated Gas Gathering (AGG) facilities in Agbada, near Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The completion of the maintenance exercise has paved the way for the resumption of gas supply to the 188-megawatt Geometric Power Plant in Aba, raising hopes of a return to the relatively stable electricity supply that residents and businesses in the Aba Ring-fenced Area had enjoyed over the past two years.

The Managing Director of Geometric Power Ltd (GPAL), Dr Nonso Okolo, confirmed the development during a telephone conversation with journalists yesterday, expressing relief over the restoration of gas supply to the power plant.

He explained that the recent interruption in gas supply had significantly affected socioeconomic activities across Aba, creating serious concerns for both Geometric Power and Aba Power, the electricity distribution company responsible for the Aba Ring-fenced Area.

With Heirs Energies now releasing gas to the plant, electricity supply has already begun returning to large parts of the distribution area.

Okolo also disclosed that Aba Power was working to resolve localised faults affecting some feeders, expressing optimism that customers across the nine local government areas within the Aba Ring-fenced Area would soon regain the dependable electricity supply experienced before the maintenance-related disruption.

The latest development comes as a major relief to residents, manufacturers, traders and other businesses whose operations depend heavily on consistent electricity supply.

The Aba Ring-fenced Area had recorded relatively stable power availability over the last two years, but the recent shortages were linked largely to challenges associated with ageing gas infrastructure and disruptions in the supply chain to the power plant.

An Abuja-based mechanical engineer and power consultant, Dike Ejike, also expressed optimism over the improving situation, pointing to two significant developments at Heirs Energies’ facilities.

According to Ejike, a critical gas pressure-pumping component that is no longer in production has been replaced after the required part was flown in from the United States at considerable cost.

He identified the completion of the TAM at the AGG facility in Agbada as another important intervention capable of strengthening the reliability of gas supply to the Geometric Power Plant.

The development is particularly significant because a dependable gas supply is critical to the sustained operation of the plant and the ability of Aba Power to distribute electricity consistently to customers within its network.

Meanwhile, chemical engineer and Chairman of Nigergas Company, Emene, Enugu, Engr Chike Madueke, attributed part of the recent gas supply difficulties in the Southeast to the deteriorating condition of ageing pipeline infrastructure.

Madueke noted that several pipelines serving the eastern flank of the country were constructed decades ago and now require substantial investment, rehabilitation and modernisation to meet current energy demands.

He also linked some of the challenges around Aba to years of underinvestment in infrastructure associated with OML 17 in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, during the prolonged dispute between the Federal Government and the former operator, Shell Petroleum Development Company.

Ejike and Madueke both commended Heirs Energies for its ongoing investment in rehabilitating gas infrastructure in the region and deploying modern technology and technical expertise to address longstanding operational challenges.

Ejike said the interventions demonstrate the ability of indigenous Nigerian energy companies to tackle complex problems within the oil and gas industry, particularly where ageing infrastructure presents significant operational difficulties.

While acknowledging that intermittent disruptions could occur against the backdrop of the legacy infrastructure inherited by Heirs Energies, he expressed confidence that the recent investments and maintenance activities would contribute significantly to stabilising gas supply.

For Aba, the restoration of gas supply represents more than just an improvement in energy infrastructure. It could provide a fresh boost to industrial production, commercial activities and household electricity access across the nine local government areas served by the Aba Ring-fenced Area.

With gas now flowing again to the Geometric Power Plant and Aba Power addressing remaining localised faults, expectations are high that the industrial city will soon return to the more reliable electricity supply that had become a defining feature of the area in recent years.