The Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Engr. Sale Mamman has disclosed that a total amount of US$568 million would be required for the construction of approximately 875 km of 330 kV and 24 km 225 kV transmission lines from Nigeria to Burkina Faso, through Niger and Benin with associated substations.
Engr. Mamman disclosed this at the 1st Joint Ministerial Steering Committee (JMSC) meeting of the WAPP North Core Project in Abuja, Nigeria.
He said, the project would also involve the electrification of rural communities located within a 5 km radius on both sides of the line, and the implementation of several environmental and social mitigation measures.
These, according to him, include, among others, the implementation of Resettlement Action Plans to provide compensation for persons and communities affected by the project.
“This large-scale project is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the World Bank (WB) and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) at a total amount of USD 568 million”, he said.
The Minister said, upon completion of the project, the operation and maintenance of the entire infrastructure shall be handed over to the utility companies of the participating countries.
Engr. Mannan said, the WAPP-North Core Regional Interconnector was seen as a game changer that could shape the energy landscape of the sub-region through effective and efficient power trade.
He said, the World Bank estimates that power trade within the West African Power Pool could lead to cost savings of U$58.0 billion per year, enabling WAPP-covered countries to benefit from more cost-effective hydro or gas-based imports.
“Today, I am very encouraged with the strong commitment and collaborative effort of the West African Power Pool, the Governments of Nigeria, Niger, Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso and our development partners on this new and innovative energy project and I am fully confident that the completion of this project, in the 3rd quarter of 2023, will come as a sustainable solution and major contributor to the power sector of West Africa”, he added.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Energy and Mines, ECOWAS commended the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Minister of power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his counterparts from brotherly countries for their presence and TCN for hosting the project management unit here in Abuja and for the facilities made available for the implementation of the project.
He said, the WAPP North Core Regional Power Interconnection project involves four countries: Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Benin.
He said, “the project aims at connecting the four countries involved by a 330kV high voltage transmission line to facilitate electricity trade in the sub
region, to provide technical assistance, to promote trade agreements between its participants and to extend access to electricity to the populations along the transmission line.
“This project will enable an initial energy exchange estimated at about 430 MW, which could reach more than 600 MW, five to ten year after its commissioning”, he said.
