TCN has added 3,100.5 MVA (2,538MW) to National Grid between 2015 till date, says Ajiboye

• Completes 30 transmission projects nationwide

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has disclosed that its wheeling capacity has grown from 5,000MW in 2015 to over 8,100MW currently.

The Executive Director (Transmission Service Provider) of the TCN, Engr. (Dr.) Oluwagbenga Ajiboye, who disclosed this at a media parley in Abuja, pointed out that the feat was achieved through strategic investments and donor-supported projects like the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP).

He stated that TCN has also commenced the deployment of a modern Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to enhance real-time monitoring and control of the grid, improving reliability and reducing downtime.

According to Engr Ajiboye, “Over the past few years, TCN has made significant strides in modernising and expanding the national grid.

“We have completed over 30 transmission projects across the country, including new substations and transmission lines that have added more than 2,000MW of wheeling capacity to the grid.

“Our wheeling capacity has grown from 5,000MW in 2015 to over 8,100MW today, thanks to strategic investments and donor-supported projects like the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP)”, he said.

Continuing, the ED (Transmission Service Provider), said, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria has added a total of 3,100.5 MVA (2,538MW) to the National Grid. This was achieved through the energization of a total of 24 power transformers. “Three transformers totalling 510MVA (408MW) have been delivered to 3 substations and installation is ongoing.

“TCN beefed up its store capacity with additional 16 power transformers which have all been delivered.

“Abuja ring projects are at different levels of completion (average of 90% completion): -2x150MVA, 3x60MVA, 330/132/33kV Transmission Substation at New Apo (Pigba) 2x60MVA, 132/33kV Transmission Substation Wumba-Lokogoma 2x150MVA, 3x60MVA, 330/132/33kV Lugbe West Main Substastion (hybrid substation)

3x60MVA, 132/33kV Kuje Transmission Substation 2x60MVA, 132/33kV, Gas Insulated Substation, Gwarinpa (already commissioned in August 2022)

5km 132kV underground XLPE Cable from New Apo Substation to Wumba-Lokogoma Substation by Donor Agency-AFD (Agence Française de Dèveloppement)”, he said.

The TCN, Engr Ajiboye stressed, has commenced the deployment of a modern Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to enhance real-time monitoring and control of the grid, improving reliability and reducing downtime.

Speaking on the issue of human capital development, Ajiboye revealed that the

TCN has invested in training over 1,000 technical staff in the past two years, ensuring that its workforce is equipped to manage the evolving demands of a modern transmission network.

On the matter of regional interconnection, the Executive Director said, “We have strengthened cross-border transmission links with neighbouring countries, reinforcing Nigeria’s role as a regional energy hub under the West African Power Pool (WAPP).

“The recent test run on synchronisation of the Nigerian grid with WAPP member countries is a testament to that effect” he said.

Ajiboye however pointed out that the transformation of Nigeria’s power sector is not the responsibility of TCN alone, stressing that it is a collective endeavour.