Solutions to inadequate power supply in Mowe/Ibafo axis- Report
Alo Olashile
The inadequate power supply being witnessed by residents of Magboro, Makogi, Oke-Afa to Ibafo, Asese, Orimerunmu, Pakuro, Lotto and Mowe axis and environs, in Ogun state has been attributed to the low supply from the 33Kv Oke-Aro Transmission substation serving the area.
EnergyDay gathered the residents of the border communities between Lagos and Ogun states have, over the years, been lamenting over poor power supply to the areas. They have also made frantic efforts to reach out to the Federal Government, Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company(IBEDC) to permanently find lasting solutions to the power crisis.
Findings by our correspondent who visited the areas, showed that the quantum of energy initially allocated to the area from Oke-Aro TCN feeder was 13 Megawatts(MW). This according to investigation, was the state of power allocation as of the period when the area was sparsely populated.
It was further established that the increase in population of people relocating from Lagos and other major cities across Nigeria to the areas created an attendant rise in energy consumption thereby making the meagre supply inadequate.
The IBEDC in a statement obtained by EnergyDay disclosed that the axis requires nothing less than 50MW for stable supply. The DisCo claimed that the present evacuating capacity of IBEDC main line from Oke Aro TCN is 20MW.
According to Engr. Fola, Operations Engineer of Mowe-Ibafo IBEDC network area, the Oke Aro TCN facility has only 13MW power available to Ibafo feeder for the axis. He said this quantum of electricity can only be increased if the power transformers in the station (Oke Aro TCN) are upgraded.
He said, “When that is done, the IBEDC would also have to upgrade its distribution lines to a minimum of 50MW capacity.
EnergyDay reliably gathered that the Federal Government has recently announced that it has purchased about six(6) power transformers , which is expected to boost capacity of major transmission stations across the country. A source at TCN who would not like to be mentioned, claimed that the Oke Aro axis will benefit from the upgrade.
Our correspondent gathered that there are presently two 60Mega Volt Amp (MVA) 132/33kV power transformers in Oke Aro. Meanwhile, the load being evacuated at the station transmission station performed at about 85 percent of the installed capacity.
Investigation gathered that the TCN is presently installing 100MVA,132/33kV power transformers in its stations in the Oke Aro area, to provide additional load. EnergyDay gathered that the capacity of Oke Aro would also be increased if FG replaced the two 60 MVA with 100 MVA transformers.
The TCN source claimed that if the upgrades are carried out, that would amount to required 40MW or more available for IBEDC to evacuate and distribute to Ibafo and environs. The DisCo, according to him, must then be prepared to also upgrade its main line to be able to handle new upgrades.
Our correspondent gathered through interaction with some of the residents association that before now, the residents and IBEDC had concluded that the Kobape transmission station would bring relief to the overloading situation being experienced in Ibafo.
The CDA disclosed that their expectation was dashed due to the complexity of the crisis with the station. They noted that that particular station was characterised with low voltage such that it barely gives adequate supply to Orimerunmu communities.
This according to them is the reason why IBEDC has been engaging the residents in view of the constraints.
A community leader, Mr Taiwo Akindele told our correspondent that communities are hopeful that TCN would address the lingering crisis, with the delivery of the first batch of power transformers that are expected to be installed in all the substations across the country.
He said when all these are finally deployed, IBEDC will not have any reason to give for poor allocation to the area. He noted that the residents are keenly monitoring recent development in the power sector with the hope of benefiting from the nationwide transmission facilities upgrade.
