Minna—One of the four units of the turbine generator that collapsed at the multimillion Naira Shiroro Hydro station about six years ago has finally been repaired.
The unit which has a capacity of 150 mega watts was repaired at a cost of 8.5 million dollars and is expected to generate to full capacity of 600MW from its present 450MW.
Executive Vice Chairman of North South Power, NSP, Company Limited, Engineer Olubunmi Peters who made the disclosure at Shiroro in Niger State, described the development as a major breakthrough due to the technicalities encountered during the breakdown which lasted for some years.
According to him, “the Unit 4 collapsed since 2010 when a loud noise was heard from the water intake structure and discovered a large piece of concrete measuring about 6 meters by two meters in the Scroll Case of the Unit, hence the bulkhead had to be taken out for modifications and was reinstalled.
The damage occurred about 60 meters under zero visibility water and was therefore difficult to access and repair while there was raised concern about the possibility of further catastrophic failure.
Each of the Unit 1 to 4 has the capacity of 150 Mega Watts respectively but the collapse of one will affect the capacity of the entire station.
But with the completion of Unit 4, Shiroro Hydro Power Station can now generate to full capacity of 600MW output restored from 450MW.”
Engineer Peters said the commissioning would soon be performed by the Minister of Power, Mr Raji Fashola, saying it would in no small way further boost power supply in the country.
Shiroro Dam was commissioned on June 20,1990 by former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd) but had never undergone any major repair or maintenance.
Vanguard News
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