Michael James 21 June 2017, Sweecrude, Lagos – The Transformation Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has carried out reinforcement on the Hadejia 132/33KV substation with an additional 60 MVA power transformer as part of efforts to improve power supply in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Seun Olagunju , in Abuja, TCN noted that the completion of installation of 60MVA power Transformer in Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa state has increased the capacity of the station with 48MW connecting 3 important feeders.
The 3 feeders are; Nguru in Yobe state, Kafin Hausa and Gumel Emirates in Jigawa state. Prior to this reinforcement, the substation in Hadejia had 2 old power transformers of 15MVA and 7.5MVA capacity which were installed in 1991 and 2003 respectively.
The effective combined capacity of the two old transformers was only 18MW. The limited capacity created significant overload of the transformers, leading to poor supply quality and consistent load shedding in the area.
However, with the completion of this project, the Kano electricity Distribution Company can relieve the old transformers by transferring some connections to the new transformer in order to pick the increased load and provide more reliable power supply.
Expectedly, the reinforcement of this station will go a long way in improving the electricity supply and socio-economic wellbeing of approximately 1.5 million people living in parts of Yobe and Jigawa state.
TCN further disclosed that with the support of Federal Ministries of Finance and Power, it is about to secure funding from one of the Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) to finance the reconstruction of the existing Kaduna to Kano 330KV single circuit transmission line.
In contrast to the slow pace of projects funded with appropriation fund, which typically can last for 8 years, it is expected that with the secured funding from the MDB, the project has an increased chance of being completed within 24 monthsafter signature.
It is also faster to reconstruct the existing line instead of embarking on a new one due to environmental safeguard policy which is a regulatory requirement that imposes a data gathering period of a minimum of two rainy season prior to the beginning of construction work in respect of Green Field Projects (new line).
The Interim Managing Director of TCN, Usman Gur Mohammed indicated TCN plans to reconstruct the existing single circuit Kaduna to Kano line by upgrading it to a 330kV double circuit line using quad conductor design which will effectively quadruple the power wheeling capacity of the existing line from 600MW to 2400MW; first of its kind in Nigeria.
TCN is planning to build a bigger transmission system based on the expanding need of power to Kano and environs.
According to him the performance of several new transmission lines already constructed or under construction are dependent on completion of the Kaduna-Kano 330kv Transmission Line; Kano-Katsina 330KV transmission Line, Katsina-Daura 132KV Transmission Line, Kano-Hadeja 132 KV Transmission Line, Kano-Duste-Azare 132KV Transmission Line etc.
Mr Mohammed also expressed TCN’s happiness with the support it is receiving from Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, in its plan to build two new 330KV substations in Kaduna and Zaria and four additional 132KV Substations at Rigasa, Kakau, Rigachun and Jaji and the reconstruction of Kaduna-Kano transmission line.
Mohammed further disclosed that TCN is working with an banks on similar support with Kano State Government. TCN has similar collaboration with Ogun, Lagos, Bauchi, Kogi and Edo States and is planning to collaborate with Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger, Imo, Abia, Delta and Anambra States.
Given the difficulties in financing infrastructure especially the problem of Right of Way (ROW); such collaboration is the surest way of building transmission lines within the shortest possible time.
Grid Stability
Meanwhile, TCN said it has for the first time in the last 20years, consistently maintained grid frequency stability within the operating band of 49.5Hz to 50.6Hz for 24 hours.
This important milestone, achieved on the 14th of June, 2017, is described as a key pointer to the gradual and consistent growth in the stability of the nation’s transmission grid.