By Hillary Asemota
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has taken delivery of 15 number brand new power transformers from the Apapa port, Lagos, earlier last week, TCN said in a press statement issued in Abuja.
The transformers according to the company, comprised 10 60MVA 132/33kV and 5 150MVA 330/132kV capacity transformers delivered to TCN Central Store in Ojo, Lagos State, for onward delivery to various TCN project sites nationwide.
According to the Acting Managing Director, TCN, Engr. Dr. Sule Abdulaziz, the contract for the supply of the transformers under the Nigerian Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP) was funded by the World Bank, however, TCN decides on the project site the transformers will be installed.
He informed that on installation and connection to the grid, the 10 number 60MVA 132/33kV power transformers and the 5 150MVA 330/132kV transformers will add 637MW and 850MW respectively to the transmission network, consequently increasing the total capacity of the transmission system by 1487MW while ensuring N-1 reliability criteria in the substations, which is strategic in enhancing grid stability.
Abdulaziz, noted that earlier in August last year, the World Bank also funded transformer supply contracts which brought in 10 60MVA132/33kV transformers and twenty-five (25 number) earthing transformers.
Out of the 10 60MVA transformers, 5 were installed in Karu and Gombe Substations, 2No are currently being installed in Kano, and one in Lagos State.
“This is the first time in the history of TCN that it took delivery of large numbers of transformers within a short period. These are milestone achievements for TCN, as it strives to implement its short-term development plan under the Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion, and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP). The World Bank-sponsored NETAP project is only one of the TCN donor-funded projects aimed at expanding the transmission grid, while also prioritizing maintenance of the existing transmission infrastructures” he said.
TCN is equally executing several projects funded by the Agence Français de Développement (AFD). On the other hand, processes for project’s funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) is progressing very fast and TCN will soon sign contracts for 330kV & 132kV Substations.
Meanwhile, the procurement of consultants for projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will soon commence.