PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF HYDROPOWER GENERATING PLANTS

Abstract

This paper studies the performance of a hydropower scheme in Nigeria which contributes to an acute electricity supply and has effects on the country’s development. This does not only restrict the socioeconomic activities to basic human needs, but also adversely affects the quality of life too. The expected full load installed capacity for the hydropower scheme is 522.74MW but the generated capacity for the period under review is 305.147MW. Only about 40% of the installed capacity was available. Average Capacity factor for this hydropower scheme is 47%, min. of 25% in 2014 and max. of 83% in 2013 as against the industrial best practice of 50 – 80%. Total generation reduction due to downtime of the hydropower scheme is 28165773MWh amounting to 53% of the total installed capacity. Based on Power generation reduction of 53% the loss of revenue in naira was about 186 Billion naira. To improve the annual power generation, a complete overhauling of all the generators and adequate water management practice must be in place so that the available water can sustain generation throughout the year.