Generation Cycle of Jebba Hydro Power Plant and its Effect on the National Power Grid

Abstract

This paper presents the trend of power generation for the Jebba hydro-power plant and its effect on the Nigerian National Power Grid (NPG). Since electricity is used on a 24-hour basis, it is requiredto bestable and constantly available.However, it has been observed that there is usually a shortfall between the actual and available generated output power of hydro-power plants. Four years of power generation data (2003 – 2006) was analyzed to establish this trend.The data was acquired from hourly, daily, weekly and yearly inspection reading sheets of synchronous generators. The components of the data used include; the average available capacity (MW), the average actual generation (MW), the number of operational hours in a month, the total outage period (hours), the in-service period (hours), the reservoir computed inflow (m³) and the total water discharge (m³). It was observed that the power plant is only able to generate about 75% of its installed capacity for only two months (October and November) but less at the other months of the year. Positive correlations exist between the reservoir computed inflow (m³), total water discharge (m³) and the average actual generation. Tables and statistical charts were used to analyze the station’s performance, and recommendations for improved performance was made. This study has established a trend of power generation which can be used for power generation planning for Nigeria to enable a constant supply of electricity.