NPDC’s Cooperative society builds electricity for estate

By Deborah Coker

The Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (SMPCS) of Nigerian Petroleum Development Cooperation (NPDC) on Tuesday laid the foundation for its Independent Power Project (IPP) at its Golden Estate in Benin.

The project is part of its economic transformation programmes of the cooperative society to fully utilise the investment, business and tourism potential of Edo.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Mr Akinpelu Shogunle, Managing Director of HighLand Energy Solution Services Limited (HESSL), managers of the project, said the project was a two Megawatts electricity generation.

Shogunle said that 250 units housing unit estate which had already been subscribed would also host hotels, tourism centres, entertainment and other 21st century facilities.

The Golden City Estate is eco-friendly and complies with the world environmental standards with regards to greenhouse gas.

He explained that the use of fossil-driven (petrol and diesel) electric generators would not be allowed and that residents were forbidden from using private generators.

The measure, he said, was not only to reduce carbon emission, but also to reduce noise levels in the estate envisaged eco-friendly environment.

He further said that in order to preserve the ecosystem and encourage a sustainable, clean, and pollution-free environment, no second party electric power generating system will be permitted in the Estate.

He however, noted that VTT LNG (West Africa) Limited, as a partner in the Project provides a more assuring and comforting disposition in resolving issues of steady fuel supply.

He explained that it was prudent and appropriate to focus on energy sources which would complement the conventional natural gas-driven turbine generators to ensure that shortage of gas does not impact negatively on the steady and reliable supply of electricity.

He said HESSL Consortium shall generate and distribute electric power within the estate to serve all the industries, commercial businesses, recreation centres, educational centres and residences.

“Excess energy generated in the estate shall be made available, particularly to the existing satellite towns and communities that would develop around the estate, through the national electric grid to which the estate grid shall be connected.

“This connection to the national grid may also serve as a backup for electricity generated within the estate as and when required.

“To this end, HESSL Consortium shall establish a sound working relationship with power generating authorities or its approved representative to achieve this purpose.’’

Meanwhile, Mr Amos Mabur, President, NPDC, SMPCS Ltd said the vision for the project was hatched five years ago by the past executive of the NPDC, SMPCS.

He also said that the estate would not be limited or open to just staff of the NPDC but to persons from other cooperate organisations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Golden City Estate is located at Utesi near Benin, in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.