Jebba Hydroelectric Power Station

The Jebba Hydroelectric Power Station, also Jebba Power Station, is a hydroelectric power plant across the Niger River in Nigeria. It has a power generating capacity of 578.4 megawatts, enough to power over 364,000 homes. The plant was commissioned on 13 April 1985, although commercial energy production began in 1983.^[1]

Jebba Hydroelectric Power Station
Map of Nigeria showing the location of Jebba Hydroelectric Power Station. Show map of Nigeria Jebba Hydroelectric Power Station (Africa) Show map of Africa Jebba Hydroelectric Power Station (Earth) Show map of Earth
Country	Nigeria
Location	Kwara State/Niger State
Coordinates	09°08′08″N 04°47′16″E
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Opening date	13 April 1985
Owner(s)	Federal Government of Nigeria
Operator(s)	Mainstream Energy
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Niger River
Operator(s)	Mainstream Energy
Commission date	13 April 1985
Turbines	6 x 96.4 MW
Installed capacity	578.4 megawatts (775,600 hp)

Location

The Jebba Power Station is located about 100 kilometres (62 mi) downstream of the Kainji Dam,^[1] and approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) southwest of Mokwa, the nearest urban centre.^[2]

This is approximately 256 kilometres (159 mi) by road, southwest of Minna, the capital of Niger State.^[3] The power station sits astride the Niger River at the border between Niger State and Kwara State, approximately 91.5 kilometres (57 mi), by road, northeast of Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State.^[4] Jebba Dam sits at an elevation of 71.917 metres (236 ft) above mean sea level.^[5]

Overview

The power station, owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria comprises six generation turbines, each with a rated capacity of 96.4 megawatts, for a maximum installed output of 578.4 megawatts. The concession agreement for operations and maintenance at this power station is held by Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, an independent power company. Mainstream Energy also holds the concession on the 760 megawatts Kainji Hydroelectric Power Station, located about 100 kilometres (62 mi). upstream of Jebba Power Station.^[1] Five of the generation units are available, as of January 2021. The sixth generation unit is inoperable, since it was damaged by a fire in April 2009.^[6]

Repairs and renovation

In January 2021, Andritz AG, an Austrian engineering conglomerate, was selected by Mainstream Energy to repair the defective turbine and restore to power station to maximum capacity.

The electrical-mechanical works include: (a) replacement of the 96.4 megawatts turbine (b) installation of a new 103MVA generator (c) installation of a new transformer (d) installation of a new outdoor switchyard and (e) replacement of accessory equipment, including the intake gate.^[6][7]

The repairs and renovations are expected to cost approximately NGN13.68 billion (US$36 million or €30million). Renovation work is expected to last until the first quarter of 2024.^[6][7]