Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has commenced the rehabilitation of two critical 132kV transmission lines linking the Afam Independent Power Plant, IPPs, to Port Harcourt and Elelenwo, a move aimed at strengthening power evacuation and improving electricity supply stability in the South-South region.
The project, which involves the reconductoring of the 38.6-kilometre Afam IPP–Port Harcourt line and the 20.8-kilometre Afam IPP–Elelenwo double-circuit line, officially took off last week, following the formal handover of the sites to contractors.
General Manager, Transmission Services, Engr. Ali Sharifai, said the 12-month rehabilitation project had become unavoidable due to the deteriorating condition of the ageing transmission infrastructure.
“The ageing state of these lines has contributed to reduced wheeling capacity over time,” Sharifai said.
“This rehabilitation is necessary to restore and enhance their operational efficiency and reliability.”
He noted that reconductoring works would significantly improve the lines’ ability to transmit electricity, aligning with TCN’s broader mandate to strengthen the national grid and reduce system constraints.
Also speaking, the General Manager, Transmission, Port Harcourt Region, Engr. Akpa Emmanuel, described the Afam transmission corridors as vital arteries in Nigeria’s power supply chain.
“These lines are central to evacuating bulk electricity generated from the Afam Power Plants into the national grid,” Emmanuel said.
“Once upgraded, they will greatly enhance the reliability and stability of power supply not only in Rivers State but across the wider region.”
According to him, the rehabilitation will help eliminate recurrent transmission bottlenecks associated with the old conductors, enabling more efficient delivery of generated power to distribution networks.
The Afam Power Plants remain one of Nigeria’s major gas-fired generation hubs, and industry observers say the successful completion of the project could unlock more stranded generation capacity, reduce system losses and support improved electricity supply to homes and industries in the Niger Delta.
TCN said the project forms part of its ongoing efforts to modernise transmission infrastructure nationwide and strengthen grid resilience in line with Nigeria’s power sector reform objectives.
