Nigerian Government installs 105 transmission transformers with total capacity of 6,216MVA between 2015-2022 – Engr. Aliyu, Power Minister

Oredola Adeola

The Nigerian government claimed that it installed a total of 105 transmission transformers between 2015 and 2022, with an installed capacity of 6,216 megavolt-amperes (MVA) added to the transmission network.

Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, Minister of Power, made this known in a presentation at the 11th edition of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Scorecard Series (2015-2023)’ organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture, to review the achievements of Buhari’s administration, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

According to the Minister, the power sector in Nigeria is beginning to wear a new look as the ministry is on a path to having a sustainable market that can be self-funded.

The Minister also disclosed that the ministry has repositioned the Siemens Presidential Power Initiative, PPI, and has begun to take delivery of critical equipment.

He said, “Recall that accelerated order was placed for 10 power Transformers and 10 power Transformers and 10 mobile substances after an agreement between the Federal Government and the German energy firm Siemens, with the delivery which began in September, 2022, so far 6 of the 10 power transformers have arrived the shores of Nigeria and we have started installation in various locations while the remaining 4 are expected from January to April 2023,” he said.

Dr. Aliyu said the Nigerian electricity supply industry is much healthier than what it was under subsequent administrations.

He estimated the country’s aggregate power generation to 8,000MW, comprising 5,000MW on-grid and above 3,000MW of industrial captive off-grid. This quantum of power, according to him, will be improved to a total installed capacity of almost 22,000MW by President Buhari’s administration before handing it over to the next government in May 2023.

The minister disclosed that 73 power transformers installed by TCN engineers in substations across the nation have been completed out of the over 105 Power transformers projects installed between 2015 and 2022.

The Minister listed some of the completed Power Transformer/Substation projects including: The 150MVA 330/132kV Interbus Power Transformer at Ughelli, Delta IV Transmission Substation, and the 150MVA 330/132kV Power Transformer at Ayade Transmission Substation

Others were the 2x150MVA 330/132/33kV Substation at Lafia, Nasarawa State, and the 2x60MVA 132/33kV Dawaki/Gwarinpa Substation which was recently completed in November 2022 under the Abuja Feeding Scheme.

The projects also included the 2x60MVA 132/33kV Gagarawa Substation, 2x60MVA 132/33kV Substation at Adiabor, 2x30MVA 132/33kV Yelwa Yauri the1x30MVA 132/33kV Ilashe Substation and the 1x40MVA 132/33kV Substation at Bichi, Kano State among others.

According to the Engr. Aliu, a number of substations and bay extensions were nearing completion and were expected to be inaugurated by Q1/Q2 of 2023.

He said a total of 900km of reconductoring and construction of new transmission lines were completed during the period 2015 – 2022.

Some of the key lines, according to him, included reconductoring of 140km 132kV Birnin- Kebbi to Sokoto transmission line (April 2021) and completion of 330kV Aloji – Ikot Ekpene transmission line.

Others were the 132kV Ihovbor – Okada transmission line, the completion of the 330kV Gombe – Damaturu transmission line, among others.

The Minister said some transmission line projects are nearing completion and expected to be inaugurated by Q1 and Q2 of 2023, including the Kaduna – Jos Double Circuit Transmission Line and Benin – Ajaokuta 330kV Single Circuit.

He said, “We also have robust programs ongoing with facilities and investments secured of over $3 billion to eliminate the large gap between our transmission capacity and supplied energy.

The Power Minister disclosed that the country has received the delivery of critical power equipment under the Siemens Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).

He said, “You may recall that accelerated orders were placed for 10 Power Transformers and 10 Mobile Substations, with a delivery schedule beginning Sep’2022.

“We have started installation of the transformers in Lagos and the process has reached the advanced stage for the installment of one of the transformers in Abuja. while the remaining are expected in December 2022 and January 2023.”

He noted that the Siemens Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) project seeks to expand transmission and distribution operational capacity to 7,500MW in Phase I and 11,000MW in Phase II, while in Phase III the operational capacity of the entire value chain would be upgraded to 25,000MW.

On the National Mass Metering Programme, Mr Aliyu said plans for an additional six million meters under the second and third phases of the program are set to commence in the 1st quarter and 2nd quarters of 2023.

“We have executed the most successful metering program post privatisation with 1 million meters rolled out in the first phase of the National Mass Metering Program.”

He said the first phase generated 10,000 jobs in installation and assembly even as he noted that over 20,000 additional jobs would be generated in the second phase, as the feast had also changed the narrative of the power sector from consumption spending (on subsidies) to real infrastructure spending” he explained.

The Minister also confirmed that the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant(ZHPP) located in Niger State, being second largest hydro project in Nigeria with a capacity of 700MW, is currently at 97% completed.

He said, “We will complete and commission the 700MW Zungeru Hydro Power Plant in the 1st quarter of 2023. We will also see to the operationalization of the 240 MW Afam 111 and 300MW Okpai phase 11 to mention a few.