12:01:46Ikengaonline Editorial
The Geometric Power initiative: Leading Nigeria’s energy revolution
On Monday, February 26, 2024, Geometric Power Group accomplished a watershed moment by commissioning the first of its four power-generating turbines. This turbine will supply 47MW, nearly doubling the 25MW currently received by the Aba Metropolis and surrounding areas through the national grid. This accomplishment represents a quantum leap towards fulfilling its commitment to provide Aba, the vibrant city in Abia State, located in South-East Nigeria, with uninterrupted electricity supply.
Backed by a consortium of American investors, local and international banks, as well as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s private-sector arm, Geometric Power has invested approximately $800 million in this integrated power project. The initiative includes the construction of a 27-kilometre natural gas pipeline from Owaza in Ukwa West Local Government Area to the Osisioma Industrial Layout in Aba.
The Geometric Power Group holds licences for both electricity generation and distribution, resulting in the establishment of two component companies: Geometric Power Plant Ltd. (GPAL), in Aba and Aba Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APL), located at Osisioma. Each company performs its designated functions within the electricity supply chain. The four turbines, with a combined capacity of 188MW, will be inaugurated in phases until reaching full capacity.
Christened the Aba Integrated Power Project (Aba IPP), it represents a groundbreaking endeavour as Nigeria’s first independent and integrated power utility company. It is a self-sufficient electricity facility designed to generate and distribute its own power. With plans to extend services to nine out of the seventeen local government areas in Abia State, this initiative is poised to revitalise Aba, the commercial heart of Eastern Nigeria and a vital industrial hub.
The journey that brought Geometric Power to this juncture was anything but smooth. It was fraught with obstacles and complexities, characterised by intrigues and clandestine manoeuvres orchestrated at the highest echelons. Shortly after entering into a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2004, the project encountered formidable challenges that persisted. A significant part of the impediment stemmed from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) sale of the Enugu Electric Distribution Company (EEDC) to Chief Emeka Offor’s Interstate Electrics, without exempting Aba, thereby igniting tensions between Interstate Electrics and Geometric.
Despite facing numerous obstacles, including alleged interference from vested interests within Nigeria’s political sphere, Geometric persisted. It was not until 2020, during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, that the impasse was resolved, culminating in the inauguration of the power plant by Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Monday, February 26.
At the helm of Geometric Power Limited is Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji, a distinguished mechanical and industrial engineering professor and former Minister of Power. Prior to founding Geometric, he spearheaded a dedicated team of Nigerian engineers and entrepreneurs in constructing a 22-megawatt Emergency Plant in Abuja back in 2001. This plant supplied electricity to key government establishments within our nation’s capital. It’s refreshing to observe that in selecting the location for the Aba power project, Prof. Nnaji, who hails from Enugu State, and his team prioritised commercial pragmatism over primal allegiances, leading them to bring the project to Abia State.
The decision to locate the power plant in Aba is strategic. As the principal commercial centre in South-Eastern Nigeria, with an estimated population of 2.5 million, Aba plays a pivotal role in both regional and national economy. However, inadequate electricity supply has hindered the city’s potential for growth. The Geometric Power Project is poised to address this challenge, revitalising Aba’s industrial sector and positioning it as a key manufacturing hub.
Before the current administration, Aba had become an uninhabitable city plagued by rampant crime, lacking in basic infrastructures, and witnessing the closure of businesses. Successive governments paid scant attention to the city; instead, they exploited and plundered its resources. However, under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti and his dedicated team, significant efforts are underway to transform this narrative. The Geometric Power Project is positioned to play a pivotal role in this renaissance, heralding a new era of development and prosperity for Abia State.
The socioeconomic impact of this initiative is poised to be profound and will extend far beyond Aba and Abia State, permeating the entire South-East region. Persistent power outages continue to hinder the growth of numerous businesses, particularly in the manufacturing sector, due to the high operational costs associated with generator usage. The introduction of Aba Power has already sparked significant interest from several major corporations considering relocating their manufacturing facilities to Aba to take advantage of uninterrupted power supply. This potential influx is expected to generate a multitude of lucrative employment opportunities and, consequently, spur economic expansion.
Ensuring a reliable gas supply is absolutely pivotal for the success of the Aba IPP. Yet, it’s disheartening to witness Nigeria with its vast gas reserves, grappling with chronic shortages. With Africa’s largest proven gas reserves and a promising 600 trillion cubic feet of unproven reserves, it’s unfathomable that citizens are still left in darkness due to inadequate fuel supply to power plants. The Nigerian government must urgently confront this longstanding issue plaguing the electricity sector to fulfill its commitment to powering the nation’s economy with gas by 2030.
While Geometric Power has set the stage for progress, the onus now rests on both Geometric and local communities to safeguard these vital infrastructures. Shockingly, data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria reveals that vandals destroyed a total of 108 power transmission towers across the country between January 2022 and September 2023. Neither Geometric nor the people of the South-East can afford the failure of this project.
Nigeria endured two devastating collapses of its power grid in September, plunging the nation into widespread blackout on both occasions. The government attributed these incidents to sabotage and the destruction of transmission facilities. Geometric Power must establish partnerships with law enforcement agencies and local vigilante groups to safeguard its assets.
Furthermore, ensuring the timely payment of electricity bills by consumers is paramount for the overall sustainability of the project. By collectively shouldering the responsibility of safeguarding critical infrastructure and promoting financial accountability, both Geometric Power and local communities can pave the way and serve as a model for a brighter energy future in Nigeria.
Ikengaonline extends its heartfelt congratulations to the resilient team at Geometric Power and the good people of Abia State for achieving this remarkable milestone, igniting the spark of the long-awaited energy revolution in Nigeria. We salute the efforts and courage of Prof. Bart Nnaji, whose expertise and leadership have been instrumental in steering this ambitious venture towards success. Despite facing formidable challenges, it was the virtues of patience, hard work, and unwavering dedication that ultimately triumphed.
As Prof. Nnaji himself once remarked, “the game is worth the candle.” Indeed, the success of Geometric Power serves as a shining testament to the courage to dream, while also providing a beacon of hope for the revitalisation of Nigeria’s energy sector.
