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SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF POWER, WORKS & HOUSING, MR. BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA SAN DURING THE COMMISSIONNING OF 100MVA, 132/33KV TRANSFORMER AT KATAMPE SUBSTATION ON FEBRUARY 12, 2018
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Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is responsible for conveying electricity from the Generation Companies (GenCos) who produce at power stations in various locations to over seven hundred trading points where the Distribution Companies (DisCos) receive it and distribute it to consumers nationwide. The GenCos can now produce 7,000 MW, with more capacity coming. This Administration’s focus on delivering Incremental Power requires that TCN build and maintain the capacity and operational flexibility to transmit more than the GenCos can produce, to ensure stable and reliable power delivery to the DisCos and other customers connected directly to the National Grid.
As part of the program, another milestone has been achieved here in the capital city of Abuja with the installation of additional 1x100MVA Transformer at Katampe and another of the same capacity at Apo. The capacity of the Katampe 132/33kV substation, prior to this installation, was 120MVA. Therefore, with this installation, the capacity has been raised to 220MVA. Similarly, the Apo 132/33kV substation has been raised from 190MVA to 290MWA.
The two transformer projects, executed by Messrs. MBH Power Limited, are part of the Nigeria Electricity and Gas Improvement Projects (NEGIP) financed by the World Bank.
With the commissioning of the two 100MVA, 132/33kV Transformers, the communities listed below are expected to experience remarkable improvement in power supply. Gwarinpa, Life Camp, Jabi, Kado, Wuye, Maitama, Mpape, Katempe 1 and II, Jahi, Mabushi Garki, Gudu, Guzape, Asokoro, Apo Resettlement, Wumba, Apo Mechanic Village and part of Lugbe and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport all located within the FCT Abuja.
With this development, TCN has not only established adequate Transformer capacity to serve these parts of Abuja but has also provided the necessary redundancy in line with the requirements of N-1 reliability criterion at both Katampe and Apo substations.
The installation of the two 100MVA, each at Apo and Katampe will also increase the total wheeling capacity of TCN, which was last simulated in the December 2017 to slightly above 7,000MW.
TCN also has advertised for upgrading the capacity of Central Area 132/33kV Substation. This project is part of the Nigerian Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP) financed by the World Bank as a successor to NEGIP.
TCN is also implementing the Abuja Transmission Scheme (ATS) financed by Agence Francaise De Development (AFD). The procurement process for the projects under the scheme has reached an advanced stage.
Five new Substations and a the third 330kV transmission line into Abuja in addition to Shiroro-Abuja and Ajaokuta-Abuja 330kV transmission line will be constructed as part of ATS. Two of the new Stations 330/132/33kV Substations under ATS will be sited at the West Main (Lugbe) and New Apo, while the three new 132/33kV substations will be sited at Lokogoma, Kuje and Gwarinpa. They are expected to cater for the transmission needs of Abuja in a long while.
I wish to thank the Honourable Minister of FCT for the cooperation he accorded TCN, which made this commissioning possible. TCN and the Ministry will continue to rely on the support and cooperation of the Honourable Minister of FCT, as we strive to meet the electricity requirements of Abuja, which is gradually transforming into a mega city. There is need to plan for the future expansion of Power Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure in the city.
Let me use this occasion to recognize the important collaboration that exists between FGN and Government of Japan under which Capacitor Banks worth over $10 million are being installed at Apo and Keffi substations. The Capacitor Bank in Apo, rated 22.5MVar is currently 80% completed. It will significantly improve the quality of power supply from Apo substation. The same collaboration is expected to also completely rehabilitate Apapa, Akangba, Isolo and Ikeja West Substations in Lagos.
In conclusion, on behalf of my colleague-Ministers and indeed the entire staff of the Ministry of Power, Works and housing, I congratulate TCN for successfully installing the 1X100MVA Transformer at Katampe and for the installation of another at Apo substation. The Ministry will continue to support its agencies, including TCN, to deliver Incremental Power to Nigerians.
Thank you.
Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing
