BY ONYEKA AJUMOBI ONOCHIE
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has completed the installation and commissioning into service of one brand new 300MVA 330/132/33kV power transformer in its Alaoji Transmission Substation and has also successfully transported a brand new 150MVA, 330/132/33kV power transformer from the port to Kumbotso Transmission Substation in Kano, to replace one of the four 150MVA transformers taken out for repairs, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s policy on incremental power.
Revealing this in Abuja, Monday, by the TCN General Manager (Public Affairs), Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, TCN said that the brand new 300MVA power transformer, energized on February 12th, 2019 in its Alaoji Transmission Substation, has increased the station’s installed capacity from 450MVA to 750MVA which makes it the biggest substation in the southern part of the country and has also made the station consistent with redundancy requirement of N-1.
“With this development, TCN has increased its capacity to supply Enugu Distribution Company for onward supply to, particularly, Ohafia, Arochukwu, Item, Abriba areas of Abia North senatorial district of Abia State; Okigwe and Arondi-izuogu areas of Imo State; and parts of Ebonyi and Rivers States,” she noted.
TCN further stated that the following projects under construction will also benefit from the newly energized 300MVA transformer: four units of 132kV substations at Okigwe (Imo state), Mbalano, Ohafia and Arochukwu (Abia State) which are on the verge of completion. The newly energized 300MVA transformer will also enhance evacuation of power generated into the 132kV grid network from the Alaoji NIPP and Afam Power Stations. The installation of the transformer was carried out by Messrs Power Control with active support of TCN engineers in Aba Sub-Region.
Meanwhile, the new 150MVA 330/132/33kV power transformer arrived Kumbotso Transmission Substation, Kano on the 15th of February, 2019, from Apapa Port in Lagos and installation would commence immediately the transformer is placed on plinth, she said.
According to Mrs Mbah, the new transformer is an addition to the recently repaired 150MVA power transformer which got burnt five years ago in Kumbotso Substation.
“It is noteworthy that it is the first time a badly damaged150MVA was repaired in the history of Nigeria Power Sector. As soon as the installation of the new 1X150MVA transformer is complete, the capacity of Kumbotso will become 4X150MVA and will further improve bulk power supply for onward delivery to Dakata, Wudil and Dan Agundi in Kano, Dutse and Hadeja in Jigawa State, Azare in Bauchi State, Katsina, Kankia, and Daura in Katsina State, and finally, to Maradi and Gazawa in Niger Republic, respectively.
“TCN thereby reiterates its resolve to consistently contribute its quota in the power supply value chain by persistently upgrading and investing in the nation’s grid network in line with its carefully researched and documented Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme. The company further pledge to continue to work towards building a national grid that is comparable to any in the world,” Mbah concluded.
Pix: U.G. Muhammed, TCN MD