The federal government amidst challenges has pushed her national electricity grid reforms. With the involvement of international donor funding agencies such as the World Bank, the French development agency (AFD), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has delivered over 50 power transformers for new transmission substations and the upgrade of existing ones.
The company imported over 40 transformers in 2022 which were deployed to various project sites for its power transmission expansion projects. Some of these projects including the two units of 60MVA 132,33 kilovolts Dawaki substation in Abuja, are ready and awaiting commissioning.
TCN however, continued to take delivery of more power transformers in the new year. It recently received 12 transformers at the Lagos port as well as truckloads of accessories which it delivered to nine substations across six states.
Deploys 12 transformers to Bauchi, others
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN started the year by receiving eight brand new power transformers at the Apapa Port, Lagos and deployed them to substations in Bauchi substation and three other states.
The company also delivered transformer accessories to the Kumbotso transmission substation in the Kano region.
According to the inventory record, the transformers comprise six units of 150/187.5MVA transformers for 330/132/33 kilovolts substations and two units of 100/125MVA transformers for the 132/33kV transmission substations.
TCN said the transformers are still at the ports as arrangement is being concluded to move them to project sites across four states.
A breakdown of the destinations shows that two of the 150MVA transformer will be delivered to substations in Bauchi; a 150MVA transformer will go to Mayo Belwa and another to Yola in Adamawa state. Two units of 100MVA transformers will also be delivered to the Yola substations to operate on the 132/33kV section.
TCN will also deliver a 150MVA transformer to the Maiduguri substation in Borno state and another to the Damaturu substation in Yobe state.The projects for the eight transformers are funded by the World Bank and executed by the contractor – MBH. The transformers are part of the ongoing grid expansion projects under TCN’s Project Management Unit.
The company then delivered seven truckloads of transformer components at the 330/132/33kV Kumbotso Transmission Substation in Kano State, under the Kano region. The delivery to the substation includes four tanks of transformer oil.
Continuing the spree of deliveries, the management of TCN, led by the Managing Director and CEO, Engr. Dr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, recently delivered truckloads of transformers, transformer accessories, control room and switchyard accessories to the Alagbon, Ijora, Ota, and Egbin substations in Lagos and Ogun states.
The 330, 132, 33kV Alagbon Transmission Substation in Lagos received truckloads of two units of 100 by 125MVA power transformers and their accessories. The transformers, upon installation will increase the capacity of the Alagbon substation to 480 megawatts (MW) capable of more than meeting the current bulk power demand in its coverage area.
The 132, 33kV Ijora Transmission Substation section also in Lagos, got a unit of 100MVA power transformer and its accessories. The transformers will increase the capacity of the substation by 80MW and are more positioned to deliver more bulk electricity to the immediate distribution load centre.
At the 132, 33kV Ota Transmission Substation in Ogun state, TCN delivered truckloads of accessories just as the company has concluded a process to deliver a 100 by 125MVA power transformer to the substation. This is meant to increase the bulk electricity wheeling capacity of the substation at Ota, a growing industrial and residential hub in the state.
For the 330,132kV Egbin Transmission Substation in Lagos, TCN delivered 330kV and 132kV switch gears and accessories there for the replacement of all obsolete 330kV and 132kV switchgears for efficient operation of the grid.
Transmission capacity hits 8,100MW With these efforts of expanding the national grid, TCN recently announced a rise in power transmission capacity to 8,100 megawatts (MW) from 2016 to 2022.
A scorecard obtained from the company, read thus: “TCN’s wheeling capacity had increased from about 5,000MW in 2016 to 8,100MW and growing, through the diligent implementation of NEGMERP.” Under the Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance Expansion & Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP) in 2022,
TCN imported over 40 power transformers including the ones for five new substations in Abuja, rehabilitation of substations in Lagos and new substations in Kano and Katsina.
“TCN’s wheeling capacity as simulated by its system planning department is 8,100MW and since the simulation was carried out, TCN has continued to expand the nation’s grid, by rehabilitating and upgrading brown field/existing projects and building new/ green field projects.
“TCN’s operational capacity at 8,100MW and growing, is backed by facts and empirical data. TCN is not claiming that it has resolved all the challenges that impact its operations as the manager of the transmission grid, but it is resolute in its expansion drive,” the statement noted.
It added that the projects are in various old or new substations nationwide, from the North to the South, to the East and West.
“In 2023, TCN is determined to take the company’s capacity and capability much further. It is a mission we will strive to accomplish.”
Our target is advanced national grid – Abdulaziz
In his remarks about the power transmission equipment delivery and transmission network expansion activities, the Managing Director and CEO of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the recently completed, ongoing and proposed projects of TCN attest to its commitment to grid expansion, maintenance and rehabilitation.
“Building substations and transmission lines, installing power transformers, maintenance work on transmission installations and many more are part of the efforts to arrive at grid stability and efficient bulk power supply,” Abdulaziz noted.
He further said all the recent deliveries are a part of TCN’s ongoing World Bank-funded projects. “They are in line with the company’s policy on the efficient execution of its grid expansion plan, the projects are being vigorously pursued to ensure their timely execution and completion.”
The company’s head said TCN has also awarded contracts for several new transmission lines as part of its priority projects, while some of the construction works are ongoing others are at different stages of completion.
“We must resolve to continually face our challenges head-on by constantly looking for ways to improve our revenue capacity and capability to deliver on our mandate,” Abdulaziz noted.
He also urged stakeholders to collaborate with TCN in safeguarding power transmission facilities nationwide.
Consumer group lauds FG on power investments
In view of the massive investments by the federal government, particularly the transmission section of the power sector value chain, the Nigerian Power Consumers Forum (NPCF), commended TCN for the feat.
It noted that only such critical power transmission grid investments, backed by a matching strength at the DisCos’ networks, and even at the GenCos’ stations, can bring succour to power consumers.
The Convener of NPCF, Michael Okoh, said if the federal government delivers such facilities to improve power supply, the economy would thrive and vices as well civil unrest in some of the places would end as people have thriving things to do.
Okoh said: “It is laudable that TCN is starting ahead to install transformers, expand the lines, reconductor others and build new substations to accommodate the long-term investments.
“TCN is on the right track and we urge them to accelerate these projects because what the consumer needs is improved power supply. Government should do more of such investments and compel the Distribution Companies (DisCos) to do the same,” said Okoh.
