WAPP to synchronise power systems in 14 ECOWAS countries

The West African Power Pool (WAPP), has said that it is working assiduously to synchronize the interconnected Power Systems of 14 countries of the West African Member States, which is currently operating three separate networks, into a single reliable network.

Usman Gur Mohammed, managing director/CEO of the Transmission Company Nigeria (TCN), who is also the chairman, Board of Directors of WAPP, made this known when he declared open a 3-day meeting on Synchronization of WAPP Networks with the theme; “Tuning of Power System Stabilizers (PSS), Field Testing of Governors, Setting Change of Governors and Synchronization of WAPP Network Contract”, recently in Abuja.

Mohammed noted that the synchronization project was part of WAPP’s mandate by the Authority of the Heads of States and Governments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to establish a mechanism and institute frame work for integrating the national power systems of member states into one regional electricity market.

According to him, the project, in terms of scope, was the most complex to be executed by WAPP, even as he expressed confidence that representatives from various companies would work to support its successful execution.

Mohammed appealed to member states to allow the consultant of the project, General Electric (GE) International, access to their power plants to test the governors, tune their power system stabilizers, and change their setting where necessary, with the ultimate goal of achieving a successful synchronization.

He stated that the task before the GE in the test process is that they would require the assistance of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), to enable them effectively implement the synchronization project.

He therefore called on all participants at the meeting to proffer advice, suggestions, and actively support as well as participate in the decision process with the view to contributing meaningfully to the execution of the project.