The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced that the Abuja Feeding Scheme Project will contribute approximately 624 megawatts to the national grid upon completion. This assertion was made by Oluwagbenge Ajiboye, Executive Director of the Transmission Service Provider (TSP) at TCN, during an inspection tour of the ongoing project in Abuja on Thursday.
Funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), the Abuja Feeding Scheme is designed to enhance and expand the power transmission infrastructure in the capital. Ajiboye explained that the initiative aims to improve bulk power supply by constructing five new substations and associated transmission lines, thereby establishing a third power source to ensure 24-hour electricity availability in Abuja.
The project comprises six distinct lots: Lots 1 and 2 encompass transmission lines from Lafia to New Apo and within Abuja; Lots 3, 4, and 5 involve substations located at New Apo, Lugbe West Main, Kuje, and Wumba-Lokogoma, while Lot 6 pertains to the Gwarinpa Transmission Substation, which includes Lugbe, Idu, and Karimo.
Ajiboye stated that the project is significantly advanced, with the substations more than 91 per cent complete. He assured stakeholders that TCN is committed to expediting the project’s completion, despite encountering certain constraints. “The project is not where it should be due to some challenges, but we are working diligently to meet our objectives,” he remarked.
Specific hurdles include issues related to the new Apo Substation line route. Ajiboye confirmed that TCN is actively addressing these constraints. “In other locations, two substations are nearly completed and ready for energisation. We will focus our efforts on resolving the right-of-way issues to commence operations,” he added.
To facilitate progress, TCN plans to engage with the government regarding the right-of-way challenges, urging authorities to assist in negotiations with stakeholders involved in these routes.
The inspection tour aimed to provide a tangible assessment of the project’s progress. Anthony Uuajamah, Managing Director of Oska-Jo and Partners Ltd., the consulting firm overseeing the Abuja Feeding Scheme, highlighted that the initiative includes approximately 13 transformers, each rated at 60 MVA. This configuration is expected to augment the national grid by an estimated 624 megawatts.
As the Abuja Feeding Scheme nears completion, the initiative promises to significantly enhance the power supply in Abuja and its surrounding areas, contributing to the overall stability and reliability of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure. The successful implementation of this project could mark a pivotal advancement in the nation’s efforts to address its ongoing energy challenges.
