The Management of Crown Resources Development Co.Ltd, (CREDCO), has described as false the assertion that the Katsina Wind Farm project is a failed project.

Addressing Journalists in Lokoja the managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CREDCO, HRH (Dr.) Barny Adeku Ojiah, Said despite the challenges faced by the company, it has so far commissioned 31 out of the 37 turbines.

Speaking further, Ojiah, a title holder in Kogi State, said “We have provided a comprehensive response to the assertion that the Katsina Wind Farm project is a failed endeavor, contrary to this belief, we would like to present a detailed account of the project’s progress and challenges, emphasizing its achievements and the ongoing efforts to ensure its success.

“We are proud to report that the Katsina Wind Farm project boasts 37 turbines, each with a capacity of 275kW. Despite initial challenges of the kidnapping of the expatriate commissioning Engineer Mr. Francis Collumb that informed the OEM VERGNET SA of France to declared force majeure, significant progress has been made by the local contracting firm CREDCO in commissioning these turbines.

“As of 2019/2020, 31 out of the 37 turbines have been successfully commissioned and have passed the rigorous 72-hour test and have been wheeling power to the grid which can be confirmed from the meters at the Wind farm and TCN.

While outlining the challenges faced by the company, he noted that during the initial stage of commissioning, unforeseen challenges arose, including The unfortunate kidnapping of the expatriate for a period of 12 months, from December 23, 2012, to November 23, 2013.

This unfortunate event significantly delayed the commissioning process, but however said that despite these setbacks, the team of CREDCO diligently continued with the commissioning work, ultimately succeeding in commissioning 31 out of the 37 turbines.

“It is important to note that the delay in commissioning the remaining six turbines was not solely due to operational issues. Some of these turbines were found to have factory defects, while others were stalled by acts of vandalism, underscoring the challenges faced in safeguarding the project infrastructure.

“In 2022, a technical audit of the turbines was conducted in collaboration with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) VERGNET SA of France to ensure optimal operational performance, however due to administrative processes, the approval of the audit report was delayed by two years, saying despite this delay, the audit findings serve as a valuable roadmap for enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the turbines.

“The success of any infrastructure project relies heavily on the availability of necessary resources and support. We are pleased to inform you that the Federal Executive Council approved the procurement of spare parts to address the initial phase of operational and maintenance challenges, demonstrating the government’s commitment to the project’s long-term success.

“In conclusion, while the Katsina Wind Farm project has encountered its share of challenges, it is far from being a failed endeavor. The successful commissioning of the majority of turbines, ongoing maintenance efforts, and government support underscore our unwavering dedication to ensuring the project’s viability and contribution to sustainable clean energy generation in Nigeria.

Culled from The Authority