TCN Completes Installation Of Over Nine Transformers, Lines For Incremental Power

By CLEMENT NWOJI, Abuja

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) last week completed the installation of over nine new transformers and lines at various locations as part of efforts towards achieving incremental power supply nationwide.

However, TCN said it is aware of locations in its network where improvement is still required and assured that they were being addressed through various installations.

It urged for similar increased investments in distribution networks by electricity distribution companies nationwide in order to achieve the desired goal.

The transformers and transmission lines include: 1X60MWA power transformer in Katsina Substation, 1X100MVA transformer in Ejigbo Substation and 2X60MVA in Odogunyan substation both in Lagos, 1X60MVA transformer in Old Abeokuta Substation, as well as 1X60MVA transformer in Calabar Substation.

According to a statement by the General Manager (Public Affairs), Ndidi Mbah, TCN has also energised the 5KM transmission line built with the collaboration of Enugu State Government to power the 1X30MVA Nsukka Substation.

She said the transformers had been energised and supplying various communities where they are located.

Mrs Mbah explained that they add to the several transformers, substations and transmission lines already completed across the country either by TCN in-house engineers or by contractors which are ready for the official commissioning by the Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

With this development, Mbah said that the power supply rationing recently experienced by customers of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company around Ejigbo when the old 1X30MVA was removed to pave way for the installation of the new 1x100MVA, is expected to stop.

Further, she indicated that the installation of another 1X100 MVA to replace the second 1X30MVA in the same substation has also commenced, adding that the completion would further boost transmission capacity in that axis.

She said that the installation of the 1X60MVA transformer at Karu substation, in Abuja had been completed and it is undergoing pre-commissioning tests while it is expected to be energised before Friday March 8, 2018.

Similarly, installation of 1X60MVA at Dan Agundi Substation in Kano has reached advanced stage, just as the replacement of 1X60MVA LEEEC Model transformer razed by fire during installation in Uyo last week by TCN contractors Messrs. T & D Technologies Limited.

She assured Nigerians that such low quality transformers which were procured in 2011 would not find their way into the National Grid again.

According to Mrs Mbah, “This is because necessary steps for the fortification and standardization of substations, lines and major equipment have been taken.

“TCN has also for the first time included certification by reputable international testing laboratories as requirement for its procurement.”

She commended the patience of electricity consumers in Kaduna town whose supply has been affected by the re-conducting of the 132kV transmission line from Mando Substation to Kakuri Substation.

She noted that the re-conducting was absolutely necessary to enable TCN supply enough electricity to the 2X60MVA transformers which are at their final stages of installation in the TCN Substation, Kakuri.

Mrs Mbah said: “Although, the Nigeria Electricity Industry is still facing liquidity problem, the only way that TCN’s rehabilitation and expansion programme can give maximum benefit to the nation, is if a commensurate investment is done on the various distribution networks nationwide.

“Presently, inadequacies in the distribution networks are limiting the amount of power delivered to end-users on daily basis. This problem is pronounced anytime there is heavy rainfall. This calls for significant investments in the distribution network.”

To buttress her point, she cited that the incident of Thursday 22nd February, 2018 at Lokoja substation was caused by the weak distribution network that dropped significant load due to heavy rainfall which caused high voltage that shattered lighting arrestor that punctured the cooling fin of the 150MVA transformer and more than 10 drums of transformer oil gushed out.