According to Abubakar Aliyu, minister of power, the federal government intends to raise the wheeling capacity of the transmission company of Nigeria (TCN) by over 1000 megawatts. Aliyu made this statement while touring the TCN-led Abuja ring project.
Electricity is wheeled in when it is moved from a location on an electrical grid to a load outside the grid’s borders, particularly distribution firms. A low transmission capacity, compared to the total installed generation capacity of 12,522MW, is one issue Nigeria’s power sector faces.
The project to increase capacity of transmission company of Nigeria to be completed in six months
The nation’s wheeling capacity, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), is 7,500MW. During the inspection, Aliyu claimed that the project, which involved roughly six lines and substations, would be finished in December.
He said, “The project will take roughly six months to complete, and they anticipate finishing in November or December. The contractor is racing against the clock to complete the project, which will enhance electricity supplies in Abuja and the surrounding area.”
“This project, funded by a $17m loan from the AFD, was launched in 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. In order to strengthen the capacity of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI),” he added.
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Overview of the project to increase the capacity of transmission company of Nigeria
Additionally, Aliyu stated that the projects include a new substation in Dawaki, Gwarinpa, Apo, and an existing substation in Apo. Furthermore, the minister said that the new substation would provide additional electricity to Dawaki. As well as the surrounding area, which had previously relied on Kubwa. Aliyu went on to say that a platform had been created at the Old Apo substation. To accommodate a 60 megavolt Ampere transformer from the Siemens power project. And that it will be placed in a few days.
He said, “The new Apo substation is brand new and is receiving a 330 KVA line from Nasarawa. So as to increase supplies in Abuja and surrounding areas.”
Speaking on the siemens power project, he revealed that several engineers would be traveling to France before the end of the month to perform factory testing on some transformers. According to Aliyu, some of the transformers are already in the nation, while others are at sea.
He also clarified that the mobile substation, which includes numerous components, will be delivered in January 2023. After being tested alongside other transformers. Additionally, the minister urged Nigerians to be patient while the government makes significant efforts to improve the power supply.
