By Abisola THOMPSON
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Friday inaugurated 2x 60MVA, 132/33kv power transformers at the Suleja Transmission Substation in Niger to boost electricity supply to Suleja and its environs.
TBI Africa said that the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the132/33kV Suleja Substation was initially commissioned in 1982 with a capacity of 2X75MVA, 132/11kV (OMW) and receives electricity from Shiroro Power Generating Station at 132kV DC transmission line.
It was later upgraded with 1x 45MVA,132/33kV comprising 36MW plus 1X30MVA 132/33kV made up of 24MW, bringing the capacity of the station to 66MW.
Due to rapid urbanisation, electricity demand in Suleja town and its environs increased beyond the capacity of the substation.
NAN reports that the contract for the supply and installation of the additional new 2x60MVA transformers at the Suleja, 132/33kV substation was awarded to Messrs MBH power limited in June, 2016.
The new transformers which have load capacity of 48MW each have increased the substation capacity from 66MW to 162MW.
The transformers were commissioned by the Governor of Niger, Alhaji Abubakar Bello.
The Managing Director of TCN, Mr Usman Mohammed, said the Federal Government had received a credit of 10 million dollars from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank.
Mohammed said the fund was an additional finance towards the realisation of the Nigeria Electricity and Gas Improvement Project (NEGIP).
He said part of the fund was used to finance the contract for the supply and installation of 2x60MVA transformers and associated equipment in Suleja Substation.
He said that each of the newly installed transformers valued at 2 million dollars each, would help increase stable power supply to boost socio-economic activities of Suleja town, Madalla, Gawun Babangida, Dikko and NNPC Depot.
Other areas, according to him are: Field Base, Anagada. Izom, Giri, Tafa, Lambata, Kaduna Road, Sabon Wuse in Niger and Jere and its environs in Kaduna State.
Mohammed also said the commissioning of the transformers would strengthen the national grid and enhance activities of industries and overall development in the area.
He said that TCN was working to provide a new transformer in Tagina, adding that the company would upgrade the Tagina Substation to further ensure adequate power supply to the state.
The managing director said TCN had concluded the procurement document on construction of a new transmission substation in Lambata, assuring that the project would soon become a reality.
Mohammed said TCN was determined to achieve its mandate of improving power supply in the country as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He called on investors to invest in Suleja and its environs, given the provision of adequate and cheap power via the “Customer Eligibility Programme”.
Also speaking, Gov. Bello commended President Muhammadu and other stakeholders for the giant strides recorded in the power sector, adding that the electricity challenge would soon be solved.
He said the inadequacy of electricity over the years had stalled development in the country, and noted that power was key to development of any nation.
He said the only way to solve the problem of unemployment was to ensure development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
This, he said, could only be possible with the provision of adequate electricity.
The governor said he was glad that industries that required power of more than two mega watts would now get power direct from the national grid.
He said he had received requests from industries that would require not less than 20 mega watts to assist them access power from the grid.
Bello expressed belief that the Zungeru Power Project would be completed, and that President Buhari was committed to its completion.
He said it was possible for Nigeria to achieve a generation of 20,000MW of power in few years given sincerity of government and right sense of purpose.
The governor congratulated Suleja community for taking delivery of the new transformers and advised residents to protect them against theft and vandalism.
He said most of the transformers installed across the state had been vandalised while equipment like solar panels and armoured cables had been stolen.
Bello appealed to people involved in destroying and stealing of electrical installations to desist from the act, saying they were depriving residents from having electricity.
