The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in partnership with power distribution companies and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is set to complete a series of nationwide power infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing the country’s electricity transmission capabilities.
Reported by Punch, the projects involve the installation of eight 150MVA power transformers, 19 1000MVA transformers, 60MVA transformers, reconductoring of existing transmission lines, upgrading of 132/33KV substations, and the construction of 33KV line bays. These initiatives are expected to significantly increase TCN’s capacity to transport electricity by more than 1,000 megawatts upon completion.
During a visit to project sites in Ojo, Isolo, and Oworonshoki Transmission stations in Lagos on December 6, Mathew Ajibade, the Programme Coordinator at TCN, emphasized the collaborative efforts between TCN, power distribution companies, and the Discos technical team in executing the projects. The completion deadline is set for May 2024, with Ajibade expressing the commitment to overcoming challenges for successful implementation.
Tumba Tijani, Assistant Director overseeing the Infrastructure Finance Office at CBN, clarified that the central bank provided a loan at a 9% interest rate for the projects in August of the previous year. The loan amounting to N85.43 billion has been disbursed to 53 contractors involved in the projects, deposited into the Advance Payment Guarantee account to facilitate their tasks.
Tijani explained the significance of the Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilization Facility-3, stating, “The facility aims to resolve the transmission/distribution interface bottlenecks to improve supply to end users and unlock the unutilized generation capacity in the country.”
Highlighting the importance of transmission, Minister for Power, Adebayo Adelabu, noted that while the generation and distribution of power have been privatized, the responsibility for transmitting electricity remains with the government. He emphasized the need to revitalize aging infrastructure, including substations, transformers, and power lines, to ensure a more reliable and improved electricity supply for all Nigerians.
