General Electric deploys 75mw gas turbines to PH refinery

As part of the efforts to overcome power outages at Port Harcourt Refinery, General Electricity has supplied GEL Utility Limited with three 25-megawatt (MW) trailer-mounted TM2500+ aero-derivative gas turbines to generate uninterrupted power at the refinery.

The installation by GEL Utility Limited of GE’s mobile gas turbines at the refinery will also ensure the country’s largest oil refinery has the power it needs to overcome chronic grid outages and return to full capacity for refining.

Grid outages have reduced PHRC’s output to 30 percent of its total maximum capacity of 210,000 barrels per day.

The outages and other factors have also forced the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and private marketers to import large volumes of refined petroleum products to meet the country’s domestic needs.

To help address the chronic power challenges at the refinery, Genesis Electricity Limited, an independent power producer and one of the owners of GEL Utility Limited signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with NNPC for the installation of GE’s TM2500+ units at the 49-year-old refinery.
The TM2500+ gas turbines will provide both the base-load and back-up power to support refinery operations.

The agreement also includes the future modernisation of Nigeria’s other two refineries.

The Chief Executive Officer of Genesis Electricity Limited, Mr. Akinwole Omoboriowo, said his company was delighted to work with GE to deploy their proven TM2500+ gas turbine technology and help the Federal Government successfully return the Port Harcourt refinery to full service as quickly as possible.

“This project was not only important in getting the refinery back into full operation but also to support Nigeria’s long-term economic interests by achieving optimum refining capacity.

“The three TM2500+ units will enter commercial operation in August 2014, giving PHRC the power it needs to return to full capacity. As a result, Nigeria will be able to drastically reduce its use of imported refined fuel products,” he said.

The President and CEO of GE’s Distributed Power business, Lorraine Bolsinger, said the TM2500+ technology was the perfect solution to the power challenges at the Port Harcourt Refinery.

“Our TM2500+ technology’s high-power density and compact footprint make it the perfect solution to address Port Harcourt Refining Company’s fast ramp-up, on-site power requirements while also ensuring the refinery’s long-term viability,” she said.

In support of local content requirements and reflecting GE’s long-term commitment to promoting workforce development opportunities in countries where the company operates, GE is training local engineers to operate and manage the refinery’s TM2500+ units.

The company also has an in-country service and maintenance workshop to service the units.

GE’s Distributed Power Country Leader for sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. George Njenga, said the PHRC refinery project represents GE’s second TM2500+ order in Nigeria.

“Both projects have been for oil and gas industry projects, illustrating how GE’s distributed power technologies as well as sales and project financing capabilities can help Nigeria and other countries more effectively utilise their domestic energy resources,” he said.

GE launched its new Distributed Power business in February 2014, combining three product lines—aeroderivative gas turbines, Jenbacher gas engines and Waukesha gas engines—to better serve the distributed power space and help meet the world’s growing demand for on-site power systems that are easier to finance, faster to install and more efficient and reliable for customers.

This business unit is a leading provider of power equipment, engines and services, focused on power generation at or near the point of use.
Distributed power’s product portfolio includes GE’s aeroderivative gas turbines and reciprocating engines, which generate 100 kilowatts to 100megawatts of power for numerous industries globally.