GE Energy To Provide Three Aeroderivative Gas Turbines For Nigerian Power Station

As part of a program to initiate a more reliable industrial power supply in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, Geometric Power Ltd. (GPL) has purchased three GE Energy LM6000-PD SPRINT® aeroderivative gas turbines for a new reference power plant located in Aba, the commercial capital of Abia State in South Eastern Nigeria.

Average annual power supply in Aba has been reported at 20 percent of the total demand, leaving some sections of the city without electricity for days. Power supply to industries is inadequate, forcing many businesses to rely on privately generated power to run their machines and industrial equipment at a very high cost. With the new Aba plant, GPL hopes to provide reliable, affordable, efficient power to all customers - especially in industrial clusters.

The 140-megawatt plant will feature three LM6000-PD SPRINT aeroderivative gas turbine generator sets, balance of plant equipment, auxiliaries, control systems and coils for inlet air chilling from GE. The gas turbines, rated at 47 megawatts each, will operate in simple cycle at base load on natural gas and are expected to save the average manufacturing company running its own “stand-by” generating sets more the 65 percent in cost of electricity. The Aba Power Station is expected to begin commercial operation by the fourth quarter of 2008.

“GE Energy’s LM6000 is one of the highest efficiency gas turbines in the 40-50 megawatt power range. By choosing our LM6000-PD SPRINT aeroderivative gas turbine generator sets, Geometric Power Ltd. will benefit from the high simple-cycle efficiency and availability of the LM6000, as well as GE Energy’s vast experience,” said Charles (Chip) Blankenship, general manager of GE Energy’s aeroderivative division.

GE Energy’s aeroderivative business is a leading supplier of aeroderivative gas turbines and packaged generator sets for industrial and marine applications. The company provides power-generating equipment to utilities, industries and marine fleets throughout the world. It is also the world’s largest and most experienced aeroderivative gas turbine service provider.