By Giwa SHILE
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has procured three power reactors, which have been deployed to Ikot-Ekpene, Jos and Apir(Markurdi) 330KV transmission substations for installation.
Mrs Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the reactors would help correct the voltage problem along the 330KV Ikot Ekpene- Ugwuaji-Makurdi- Jos Transmission Line axis.
She said the 330KV line had been exposed to constant voltage instability up to 360KV at the Ikot-Ekpene, Makurdi and Ugwaji end of the transmission line.
This, she said was due to lack of reactors in the substations.
“TCN procured three new reactors that will be installed in the Ikot-Ekpene, Jos and Apir substations.
“Once they are commissioned, the reactors will serve to substantially stabilise high voltage along the transmission line.
“Two of the new reactors are already in Jos and Apir substations, while the third one is on its way to Ikot-Ekpene. ‘’
Mbah, however, said the 330KV transmission line had other design errors which included lack of transposition and fiber optic on the Ugwuaji –Makurdi part of the transmission line.
This, she said was necessary for effective Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) operations.
She said the company was, however, committed to attending to the problems and ensure that the voltage issue on the 330kV line is permanently solved.
“Last year, TCN engaged a contractor to produce a holistic mapping of its SCADA requirements nationwide, the report was subjected to an international workshop.
“TCN had since then progressed on its SCADA processes which once completed and implemented, will solve the fiber optic problem on the Ugwuaji – Makurdi axis of the 330kV Ikot-Ekpene – Jos transmission line.
“The transposition problem on the other hand is also being addressed,’’ she said.
She reiterated the company’s commitment to expanding the nation’s grid, noting that TCN would ensure the installation of the reactors by the contractor having delivered the reactors to the three substations.
