Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station

The Shiroro Power Station is a hydroelectric power plant situated in the Shiroro Gorge on the Kaduna River, which flows through Niger State, Nigeria, where the power station actually situated. It has a power generating capacity of 600 megawatts which can serve over 404,000 homes. Though it was commissioned in 1989, the Power Station was completed in 1990 and began operation the same year. Voestalpine Company was selected as the turbine supplier for the hydro power project. The project consists of 4 units of Francis turbines, each with 150MW nameplate capacity. It was designed to address various critical needs, primarily focusing on energy production, agricultural irrigation, and water supply. The power house building comprises several support services. The project has residential quarters, a hospital, and a school. The dam has been integral to the region’s development, providing a steady flow of benefits over the years.

 

Measurements

The power plant occupies 34 000 square metres of land and has a 700 metre long and 115 m high concrete-faced dam filled with rock. There is a 7 billion cubic metre reservoir at the dam site. The Shiroro Dam is a remarkable construction, measuring 450 metres in length and 66 metres in height. It has two sections: one for a clay-core rockfill embankment and the other for concrete gravity. In addition to offering stability, its hybrid design takes into account the region’s varied geological characteristics. The reservoir created by the dam has a tremendous capacity to store water, spanning 2,050 square km.

 

Capacity

The available capacity at the Shiroro power station is 600MW. In addition to plant auxiliaries such as a powerhouse portable water treatment plant, sewage treatment plan, lubricating oil treatment plant, one chlorination plant, two flood control pumps, and reservoir management equipment, there are four hydraulic turbines, four generators, gates, and hoists. The Primary Electro Mechanical Plant, non-core assets, balance of plant assets (fire protection systems, overhead cranes), and civil structures make up the assets.

 

Shiroro Dam

The hydro reservoir can hold 7,000 million cubic metres. The project has a gross head of 97m. There are four penstocks—long pipes or channels—that transport water from the hydroelectric reservoir to the power plant’s turbines. The length of the penstock is 300 metres. The diameter of the penstock is 6.3 metres.

 

Benefits

• The dam provides irrigation for approximately 2,000 hectares of land, supporting agricultural activities such as crop cultivation and livestock farming. This has not only improved food security but also boosted the local economy.

 

• The dam ensures a consistent and reliable water supply for the region. The communities around the dam and downstream areas benefit from this vital resource, improving the quality of life for thousands of residents.

 

• The Shiroro Dam and its surroundings offer fantastic opportunities for tourism and recreation. The scenic beauty of the dam, with its serene waters and lush landscapes, attracts visitors from all over Nigeria. Water sports and picnicking are among popular activities in the area, making it a hotspot for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The dam’s reservoir has become an important habitat for numerous bird species, making it an ideal spot for bird watching.

 

• It a good source of fish farming and abode for many creatures. Fish ladders have been constructed to facilitate fish migration which enhance fish farming.