This photo taken on March 25, 2024 shows a worker preparing to dive for the rehabilitation work at the Kainji Hydropower Plant in Niger State, Nigeria. (PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited/Handout via Xinhua)
by Olatunji Saliu
ABUJA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Amid the hum of machinery and the focused bustle of engineers working on the rehabilitation of a power-generating unit at the expansive Kainji Hydropower Plant in Niger State, north-central Nigeria, Stanley Ojechukwu stood beaming with pride.
The 28-year-old mechanical engineer inspected the work completed so far with quiet satisfaction. Young, energetic, and committed to his craft, Ojechukwu knew that his contribution, along with that of his colleagues, was making a tangible difference in Nigeria's struggling power sector.
"I am happy that the little effort we put in here would count on the lives of the general populace who need electricity for their daily businesses and for the general economic prosperity of this country," he told Xinhua in an interview.
The 1G9 unit in focus was completed in mid-April, expected to add at least 2 percent to the country's total power generation capacity. With a capacity of 80 megawatts (MW), the rehabilitated unit was brought back online by PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL), which has held the concession for Kainji since 2013.
Following a successful 30-day trial run, Unit 1G9 is now fully synchronized with the national grid. Its restoration boosts the Kainji Hydropower Plant's output from 520 MW to 600 MW -- an important step toward maximizing the plant's total installed capacity of 760 MW.
For millions of Nigerians, erratic power supply hampers small businesses, daily household life, education, and healthcare. Every additional megawatt generated at a major plant like Kainji represents more than just electricity -- it is a catalyst for development. The involvement of PowerChina has proven critical to this momentum.
Since its engagement at Kainji, PowerChina has employed more than 500 Nigerians, including engineers like Ojechukwu, who now work alongside Chinese experts. This collaboration has enhanced local ownership, provided hands-on training, and promoted the transfer of essential technical knowledge.
Hu Dingguo, managing director of PowerChina Huadong Nigeria Limited, said the 1G9 unit rehabilitation was part of a broader roadmap to modernize the plant and strengthen Nigeria's power infrastructure.
"This is not our first intervention. Since our partnership with MESL began, we have handled the rehabilitation of multiple units at Kainji, including the 1G5, 1G6, and 1G12 earlier, bringing them back to operational life. The 1G3 and 1G4 turbine-generators units are under installation," Hu said. "Our work on the 1G9 unit is another testament to our technical expertise and the strength of our partnership with Nigeria."
Commissioned in 1968, the Kainji Hydropower Plant is Nigeria's first major hydropower station and remains one of the country's most iconic energy landmarks. Years of underinvestment had left many of its generating units inactive. But with the advent of private sector participation in 2013, the plant entered a new era focused on modernization and reliability.
PowerChina has played a central role in this transformation, consistently meeting its technical targets at the plant. Lamu Audu, managing director of MESL, praised the company's professionalism and reliability.
"Apart from 1G9, they (PowerChina) were instrumental in earlier rehabilitations that raised the plant's capacity. Their input is timely, precise, and reliable. It is a model of international cooperation with a visible local impact," Audu said.
He added that PowerChina's global engineering standards, coupled with MESL's operational expertise, have resulted in faster project completion and greater efficiency. "The 1G9 unit was completed within schedule and passed all test phases successfully," he said.
Before the recovery of 1G9, the plant was operating below its potential. The additional 80 MW has not only raised generation capacity but also improved power stability, especially in Nigeria's northern and central regions, where Kainji plays a critical role in the national grid.
Beyond the plant's walls, the benefits ripple into surrounding communities, where increased power supply has spurred economic activity. Many of the engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers involved in the project were locally sourced, reinforcing the project's community impact.
For PowerChina, the Kainji initiative is part of a broader commitment to Africa's development. "We view our role not just as a contractor but as a partner for growth," Hu said. "Nigeria's power needs are immense, and we are ready to contribute more through technology, manpower, and cooperation."
Looking ahead, MESL and PowerChina plan further upgrades to Kainji's infrastructure. PowerChina is also leading construction efforts at the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Station, another major hydropower project in Niger State aimed at boosting Nigeria's electricity generation capacity.
Ojechukwu reflected on the transformative experience of working alongside Chinese engineers since joining PowerChina in December 2023.
"They are thorough and efficient. I have learned a lot in less than two years, especially about system alignment and turbine performance optimization," he added.
This photo taken on June 1, 2025 shows the interior view of the Kainji Hydropower Plant in Niger State, Nigeria. (PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited/Handout via Xinhua)
This photo taken on June 4, 2024 shows the Kainji Hydropower Plant in Niger State, Nigeria. (PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited/Handout via Xinhua)
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