NIGERIA 1ST EXPERIENCE OF LARGE-SCALE STEAM-TURBINE GENERATION OF POWER

The paper appraises the 720 MW Sapele Station, Nigeria's first steam-t urbine power-generating plant. The study period is from 1978 to 1992. The plant's availability, utilization and average capability factors, based on both the installed and available capacities, were low. Within an average of six years, four of the six sets were put out of operati on by turbine blade and boiler failures. Forced outages were mostly ca used by external disturbances that were preventable. Comprehensive pla nning before the establishment of such stations by developing countrie s is advocated.