The Afam VI Combined Cycle Power Plant in Rivers State achieved a milestone in May 2012, delivering some 10 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity into the National grid since first power in 2008, according to a statement by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).

Shell said the plant had contributed to providing four years worth of 24-hour power supply to about 760,000 residential consumers or 63,000 medium-sized commercial enterprises. It also translates to three years worth of 24-hour power supply to Port Harcourt City alone.

The Afam V1 power plant was built by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) Ltd Joint Venture and achieved first power in August 2008 about three years after the contract was awarded.

“Afam V1 is evidence of our strong support for the Federal Government’s power agenda,” said SPDC Managing Director Mutiu Sunmonu.

“Since 2008, the plant has continued to impact positively on power generation in the country and we’re looking forward to more years of sustained performance.”

Located at Okoloma village in Oyigbo Local Government Area, the plant has an installed capacity of 650MW and consists of three gas turbines each rated at 150MW, and 1 steam turbine rated at 200MW. The gas turbines were fully commissioned in July 2009, while the steam turbine came on stream in December 2010. The plant receives gas from SPDC’s gas plant also at Okoloma.

Afam VI is the second largest contributor to the National grid (contributing about 17%) and the largest combined cycle power plant on the grid. Built on the best technology in the industry and utilising waste heat energy in the gas turbine exhaust gas, the plant generates an additional 200MW from the steam turbine, thereby providing considerable reduction in the carbon footprint of the plant.