TCN delivers new 75MX 330kV shunt reactor in Osogbo sub-region to stabilise grid

Oredola Adeola

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed the delivery of another 75MX 330kiloVolts shunt reactor at the National Control Centre(NCC) Osogbo sub-region, in Osun State, on Sunday.

This was contained in a statement released by TCN on Tuesday, and obtained by EnergyDay.

According to the statement by TCN, the shunt reactor will help suppress high voltage and ensure quality power supply in the Osogbo axis, after installation.

EnergyDay’s check showed that a shunt reactor is an absorber of reactive power that helps to increase the energy efficiency of the grid system. It is said to be the most compact device commonly used for reactive power compensation in long high-voltage transmission lines and in cable systems.

A source at the National Control Centre in Osogbo informed EnergyDay that the shunt reactor will be directly connected to the power line and tertiary winding of a three-winding transformer to improve the voltage profile and reduce the load shedding on the network.

The TCN source noted that the transmission network has over the years been facing maintenance constraints, ageing and inadequate infrastructures. He added that the issues are aggressively addressed by the present administration.

He also commended the Engr. Sule Abdulaziz TCN MD/CEO for the formation of a Task Force to monitor the compliance frequency by all stakeholders including the Generation and Distributions Companies. He noted that this effort has significantly helped in frequency stability.

Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, TCN Public Relations also confirmed that
the brand new 2X60MVA, 132/33kV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) at Gwarinpa, Abuja was energized on Sunday.

Mbah in a statement released on Tuesday said that the 132kV transmission substation is one of the five substation projects comprising the Abuja Ring Projects, funded by Agence Francais de Developpment (AFD). The substation which has six (6) feeders through which bulk electricity is transmitted to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company’s (AEDC’s) load centers, receives bulk supply from the Katampe 132kV Transmission line. With the connection of the substation to the transmission network, TCN has added over 98 megawatts to the national grid.

She said, “The other four substation projects are at various stages of completion. Two would soon be energized while the other two are ongoing. Significantly on completion of the entire project, the FCT and environs would have adequate power supply for the next 50 years.

“The Abuja Ring Project is one of the several projects being executed by TCN to further expand the transmission grid. TCN would not rest on its oars but would continue to work towards further expanding the nation’s grid, to put in place a very robust transmission network that would continue to efficiently transmit bulk electricity to Distribution load centers nationwide” the TCN GM Public Relation said.