IBOM POWER HOLDS TALKS WITH CHINESE FIRM

Ibom Power Company Limited (IPC) is in talks with Nanjing Turbine & Electric Machinery (NTC), a GE-licensed gas turbine manufacturer, to revive its GT1 & GT2 and boost the plant’s generation capacity.

Engr. Onyekachi Nwosu from Pacific Energy Company Limited introduced the Nanjing Electric team, led by their Deputy General Manager, Zhang Wei. Nanjing Electric disclosed that they manufacture Frame 6B gas turbines and have restored and maintained similar turbines for Pacific Energy, which runs the Olorunsogo and Omotosho plants with 16 units of the same gas turbine models used at Ibom Power.

The Acting Managing Director of Ibom Power, Engr. Camillus Umoh, hosted the Nanjing Electric team at Ibom Power’s Uyo office following their earlier inspection of the Ibom power plant. He emphasized that bringing GT1 & GT2 turbines back to operations remains the company’s top priority.

Nanjing Electric offered to send a technical team by mid-August 2025 to carry out a comprehensive audit of Ibom Power’s GT1 & GT2 units at no cost. They also proposed an invitation for the IPC team to visit their facilities in China to deepen understanding of technical solutions and explore partnership opportunities.

The Acting MD welcomed the proposed technical audit and pledged to provide in-country logistics and support for the Nanjing team. He also outlined some of the longstanding technical challenges that have kept GT1 & GT2 idle, alongside some financial constraints of Ibom Power as a state-owned company. He requested the possibility of milestone-based payments.

Nanjing Electric replied that equipment must be fully paid for before shipping, while manpower support could be paid 50% upfront and the balance after completion of the works. Nanjing Electric also said they were open to discussing flexible terms at their head office in China.

The discussions also addressed the challenge of sourcing spare parts for the Frame 6B turbines and language limitations. The Acting MD pointed out that GE had been unable to provide a complete list of required spares for GT 2 because they are not the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Nanjing Electric, as the OEM, pledged to help identify and supply the necessary spare parts.

Nanjing Electric also agreed to provide Ibom Power with an English version of the GT2 manual, which is currently only available in Chinese.

Others at the meeting included Ibom Power’s Plant Manager, Aniefiok Sunday; Maintenance Manager, Anthony Eduok; Commercial Manager, Victoria Odibo; Procurement Manager, Esther Amaku; Deputy Compliance Manager, Paul Okon and Media Supervisor, Michael Dada.