Ben Eguzozie
Geometric Power, Nigeria’s integrated power firm and 12th electricity distribution company, has bounced back from the nationwide gas shortage that plunged much of the country into darkness over Christmas. The company’s 188 megawatts (MW) plant in Aba is now fully operational, restoring uninterrupted electricity to Aba, Abia State’s commercial hub.
The Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN), South-East zone, confirmed the development, commending Geometric Power for its resilience.
“Two of its three turbines are firing on all cylinders, thanks to gas supplies from Heirs Energies Ltd,” Joe Ubani, ECAN’s Southeastern chairman, and Chris Okpara, the secretary, said in a joint statement to the media.
The gas crunch, triggered by a December 10 pipeline explosion attributed to vandalism, had left millions without power. But Aba’s ring-fenced area — covering nine of Abia’s 17 local government areas — was spared the worst until Christmas, when gas allocations were squeezed to offset the national grid shortfall. Now, with supply restored, residents of the commercial who are on the Geometric Power’s RFA are relieved from the national gas.
According to ECAN South-East, “full gas restoration means Aba will ring in the New Year with lights on, lauding Aba Power, Geometric’s energy distribution arm, for clocking 80 days of regular supply last month.
Unlike other 11 distribution companies (DisCos), Geometric was the last to cut power and avoided total blackout even during the December 29 grid collapse. ECAN in the South-East says the Aba DisCo is a model for Nigeria’s energy future.
The association urged the Nigerian federal government to learn from Geometric success, and tackle Nigeria’s crippling gas bottlenecks. Referencing how Algeria, a North African giant, leveraged its gas reserves to solve energy woes, and built world-class infrastructure, ECAN said Nigeria has enough gas to power Africa — look at Algeria.
Geometric Power’s swift recovery underscores its pivotal role in Nigeria’s energy landscape. For Aba’s entrepreneurs and households, it’s a welcome respite – and a sign that consistent power is achievable. With the lights back on in Aba, can the rest of Nigeria follow suit?
