Afam gas & power supply

The Afam power plant has increased Nigeria’s electricity generating capacity and gas supply by around 14-24%. During a combined-cycle commercial operation, the plant is generating at peak 650MV net dependable capacity. Currently it is delivering power to the national grid and helping supply homes and businesses.

It requires only two thirds of the gas needed by many of Nigeria’s existing power plants to generate each unit of electricity. Afam VI’s gas turbines generate up to 450MW of power. Waste heat from the plant is then used to generate a further 200 MW of very low emission electricity. The gas comes from the newly built Okoloma plant, capable of processing 240 million cubic feet of gas each day from the Okoloma field.

The combined cycle power plant (Afam V1) is the second combined-cycle power plant in the country, where many people lack access to power and electricity shortages are common. The plant contributes substantially to Nigeria’s electricity generation, making it critical to the federal government’s aspiration to increase power supply in the country. The World Bank has recently registered Afam as a clean development mechanism project, which allows it to earn certified emission reduction credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO₂.

The plant will offer consumers more reliable electricity supplies and a cleaner low-emission alternative to the diesel and petrol generators that are widely used when blackouts occur.

At its peak the project employed 3,000 local construction workers and Nigerians made up 95% of the labour force. The project also funds a number of community development initiatives in the project area including power supplies to local communities. SPDC is currently providing training for 15 young community graduates in the operation and maintenance of a combined cycle power plant.