The installation of the two 100MVA transformers, each at Apo and Katampe has increased the total wheeling capacity of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), above 7,000MW, Babatunde Fashola, minister of Power, Works and Housing has said.
While the commissioning a 1x100MVA Transformer at Katampe and another of the same capacity at Apo, which raised their various capacities to 120MVA and 190MVA respectively, both located in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, the minister called the development a ‘milestone’.
The two transformer projects, executed by MBH Power Limited, are part of the Nigeria Electricity and Gas Improvement Projects (NEGIP) financed by the World Bank.
‘With the commissioning of the two 100MVA, 132/33kV Transformers, the communities listed below are expected to experience remarkable improvement in power supply. Gwarinpa, Life Camp, Jabi, Kado, Wuye, Maitama, Mpape, Katempe 1 and II, Jahi, Mabushi Garki, Gudu, Guzape, Asokoro, Apo Resettlement, Wumba, Apo Mechanic Village and part of Lugbe and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport’ all located within the FCT Abuja.
This development according to the minister, indicates the TCN has not only established adequate Transformer capacity to serve these parts of Abuja but has also provided the necessary redundancy, in line with the requirements of N-1 reliability criterion at both Katampe and Apo substations.
He disclosed that the TCN has also advertised for upgrading the capacity of Central Area 132/33kV Substation, a project that is part of the Nigerian Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP) financed by the World Bank as a successor to NEGIP
“TCN is also implementing the Abuja Transmission Scheme (ATS) financed by Agence Francaise De Development (AFD). The procurement process for the projects under the scheme has reached an advanced stage.
“Five new substations and a the third 330kV transmission line into Abuja, in addition to the Shiroro-Abuja and Ajaokuta-Abuja 330kV transmission line will be constructed as part of ATS. Two of the new stations 330/132/33kV under ATS will be sited at the West Main (Lugbe) and New Apo, while the three new 132/33kV substations will be sited at Lokogoma, Kuje and Gwarinpa. They are expected to cater for the transmission needs of Abuja in a long while,’ Fashola said.
He used the occasion to recognise the important collaboration that exists between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Japan, under which Capacitor banks worth over $10 million are being installed at Apo and Keffi substations.
“The Capacitor Bank in Apo, rated 22.5MVar is currently 80 percent completed. It will significantly improve the quality of power supply from Apo substation. The same collaboration is expected to also completely rehabilitate Apapa, Akangba, Isolo and Ikeja West Substations in Lagos” said Fashola.
In his earlier remarks, the Managing Director of TCN, UG Mohammed, said that the commissioning would enable TCN wheel more bulk electricity to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.
ISAAC ANYAOGU and Harrison Edeh & Cynthia Egboboh, Abuja
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