GE, Shell ink Nigeria deal

GE has signed a multi-year deal with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for the 650-MW Afam VI combined-cycle power plant in southeastern Nigeria, the US conglomerate announced Tuesday.

Under the agreement, GE will perform planned maintenance for the plant’s three GE GT13E2 gas turbines and a GE steam turbine. The contract also covers MXL2 upgrades set to raise the facility’s capacity by up to 30 MW.

“At optimal performance, the Afam VI plant can provide up to 15% of the total national grid-connected electricity, this agreement will ensure we reach this performance objective and deliver much needed power to the national grid,” said Philip Mshelbila, the general manager of gas at SPDC, in a statement.

“With less than 50% of the population having access to electricity, Nigeria needs power.” said Lazarus Angbazo, the CEO of GE Nigeria. “This agreement demonstrates GE’s unwavering commitment to continuously collaborate with public and private institutions to drive investment and innovative technologies in the power generation industry.”

GE has been present in Nigeria for nearly 40 years, working in various sectors such as power generation and the oil and gas industry. GE employs about 500 people in its offices located in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Onne.