TCN Expands Access to Power in Kano, Ondo with New Substations
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has disclosed its completion of the construction of two brand new electricity transmission substations of capacities between 30/40 mega voltage amp (MVA) 132/33 kilovolt (kV) in Wudil, Kano State, and 60MVA 132/33kV substation in Akure, Ondo State.
This feat, according to the TCN, would improve access to electricity within these two states.
In a statement from its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, the TCN also denied contributing to reported frequent disruptions in power supplies within the network of Benin electricity distribution company (Disco).
It also stated that claims by the Disco that the national grid was highly unstable and contributed to over 2,000 tripping in its network between January and July 2018 was false.
Mbah, however stated that while the transformers and substation project had been energised and supplying electricity to the communities where they are located and their environs, they would be officially commissioned by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, soon.
She explained the projects were additions to the 27 power transformers completed across the country mainly by TCN in-house engineers.
Mbah, noted the contract for the construction of the Wudil substation was awarded in 2009 but the contractor failed persistently to complete the contract for nine years.
“Consequently, TCN took over the project within the first week of July, 2018, in line with its Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP) aimed at strengthening the grid for improved power supply. The project was successfully completed within three weeks by TCN’s in-house engineers and energised in July 31, 2018.
“The Wudil transmission substation project has increased the quantum of bulk electricity supply to Kano electricity distribution company for onward delivery to electricity customers in Gaya Town, Taraki Garko, Wudil Town and Mariri among others. These towns who are customers of Kano electricity Distribution Company are expected to enjoy increased hours of power supply,” Mbah said.
On the other hand, she explained the installation of the new 1X60MVA 132/33kV power transformer and two numbers of 33kV feeder bays in its Akure transmission substation, was funded by the World Bank.
She added that it commenced in February 2017 and was completed and also energised in July, 2018.
“The new 60MVA power transformer increased the capacity of Akure transmission substation from 120MVA to 180MVA,” she explained.
According to her, the additional transmission capacity in Ondo would also increase the power distribution capacity of the Ibadan Disco.
“This means that TCN has more available electricity at the Akure substation for Ibadan Disco to take directly to its customers in Akure metropolis and its environs, including Igbara Oke; Oba Ile; and Iju where suppressed load will be relieved,” Mbah said.
She called on the Discos to make commensurate investments in their networks to augment the TCN’s TREP, adding, “Presently, inadequacies in the distribution networks are limiting the amount of power delivered to end-users on daily basis. This calls for significant investments in the distribution network.”
On the claims of Benin Disco, Mbah also said it was clearly misleading because the Disco had equally claimed early, that it had recorded significant improvement in its services which could not have been possible if the national grid was weak as alleged.