Mainstream engages Austrian firm, ANDRITZ, as technical partner for rehabilitation, modernisation of 578.4 MW Jebba hydropower plant

Oredola Adeola

Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL), has engaged, an Austrian firm, ANDRITZ, for the rehabilitation, overhaul, and modernization of two generating units (units 2G5 and 2G6) at the 578.4 MegaWatts Jebba hydropower plant.

This was confirmed in statement released by ANDRITZ and Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) and obtained by EnergyDay.

Mainstream said the technical collaboration was in its Capacity Recovery and Expansion Programme.

MESL, Nigeria’s largest hydropower generation company, is the concessionaire in charge of two hydropower plants, Jebba and Kainji dams, which currently generate about 20% of Nigeria’s power.

The Kainji and Jebba hydropower plants have a combined installed generation capacity of 1,338.4 MW and were acquired through a concession agreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria in November 2013.

The two plants are in a cascade 100 km apart with the Kainji Dam upstream of Jebba and are rated at 760 MW and 578.4 MW, respectively.

ANDRITZ has been operating in Nigeria for more than 100 years, with a subsidiary named ANDRITZ Hydro Nigeria. The company was involved in Nigeria’s most important hydropower projects such as Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro and the recently commissioned Kashimbila project.

The Austrian firm in the statement said, “In mid-2019, the senior management team of MESL visited ANDRITZ’ locations in Austria to get an impression of our extensive R&D, manufacturing and engineering facilities.

“During the visit a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed agreeing to negotiate the scope for the rehabilitation of unit 2G6 of the Jebba hydropower plant as well as the overhaul of units 2G5, 2G3, 2G2 and 2G1, including their associated equipment.

“In February 2020, ANDRITZ received the first major contract for the 2G6 project. The scope of supply covers the entire electro- and hydro-mechanical equipment, including a 96.4 MW turbine, a 103 MVA generator, and accessory equipment, as well as the intake gate.

“In September 2021, a second order for the rehabilitation of the 2G5 unit with an identical scope of supply was awarded. Both units are expected to be operational in 2024,” Mainstream stated.

According to the company, in July 2022, a delegation of the MESL Executive Board with Chairman Colonel Sani Bello visited ANDRITZ sites in Austria.

“The itinerary included the Hydro headquarters in Vienna, the hydraulics laboratory in Linz, the production site in Weiz, and the ANDRITZ headquarters in Graz. The opportunity of the visit was used for further discussions on cooperation between MESL and ANDRITZ,” the statement noted.

ANDRITZ however revealed that work had already commenced at the Jebba hydropower plant which houses six generating units, adding that two of the units need a general overhaul.

EnergyDay gathered that ANDRITZ is the original equipment supplier of the six 96.4 MW turbines in the Jebba plant, as it looks forward to providing technical services to Mainstream in its bid to acquire more power generation assets within Nigeria and beyond.