(Ecofin Agency) - In line with vows to generate 25% of Nigeria’s total power capacity before the end of 2018, Transcorp Power Limited on Monday commissioned a new 115 MW Gas Turbine (GT 15) at its Power Plant in Ughelli, Delta state. This brings the total operating capacity of the plant to 620 MW.

“With the successful commissioning and synchronizing of the turbine to the national grid, it has increased the available capacity of our plant from 160 MW (at the time of takeover on November 1, 2013) to 620 MW. Our goal is to increase our capacity from 620 MW to 850 MW by the 4th quarter of 2017,” said Tony Elumelu (photo), the Chairman of Transcorp Plc, the parent company of Transcorp Power Limited.

Speaking while commissioning the turbine, Elumelu reiterated the company’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the power issue which hinders Nigeria’s development.

Commenting on the development, the Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the involvement of local investors in achieving the country’s energy agenda cannot be over-emphasized. This, in spite of Nigeria seeking foreign investment. “The local investor will not run away when there is a storm. They will continue to invest because they believe in Nigeria and their efforts will be supported as much as possible by a government that shares the same belief in the nation.”

Anita Fatunji