The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says the French Development Agency (AFD) has approved $245 million for implementation of the Northern corridor transmission project.
Mrs Ndidi Mbah, the TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, said in a statement on Monday in Abuja that the fund was approved on Dec. 20..
The TCN has continued to implement its Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP).
Under the programme, TCN seeks to rehabilitate, stabilise and provide necessary services consistent with international transmission standards of N-1.
N–1 means that the system is planned in a way that, with all transmission facilities in service, the system is in a secure state and moves to a satisfactory state.
TREP was also designed to expand the national grid to at least 20,000mw.
The implementation of TREP has attracted significant support from multilateral and bilateral donors.
Key international donors supporting TREP include the AFD, World Bank, African Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation.
According to Mbah, the European Union (EU) earlier approved 25 million euros grant for part of the northern corridor transmission project.
She said that approval of the project by the AFD and EU was a significant step toward establishing a modern grid in Nigeria.
The general manager said that the project, expected to form the backbone for the West African Power Pool North Core Projects, would connect Nigeria, Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso on 330kv Double Circuit (DC) transmission lines.
“It is also expected to construct the Kainji-Birnin-Sokoto 330kv DC line and the Katsina-Daura-Gwiwa-Jogana-Kura 330kv DC line.
“The project will reconstruct one of the Shiroro-Kaduna 330kv single circuit transmission lines into 330kv quad line which will be the first of its kind in Nigeria.
“The project will construct 330/132/33kv substations in Sokoto, Daura and Jogana-Kano and 132/33kv substations at Birnin Gwari, Argungu and Lambata in Niger State.
“It will also rehabilitate Jebba and Kainji switch yards to ensure adequate capacity to evacuate mainstream energy expansion plans,’’ Mbah said.
The TCN spokesperson said that, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Finance, AFD was also assisting with 55 million dollars for the construction of Sokoto-Kaura Namoda-Katsina 330kv DC line.
“TCN has commenced preparation of the Sokoto-Kaura Namoda-Katsina line and 330/132/33kv substation project at Kaura Namoda.
“The project, when completed, will significantly improve bulk power supply to all the states in the North-West and part of the North-Central states.
She said that the projects would enhance socio-economic development of the North-West by attracting needed investments such as industries and commercial outlets.
“The implementation of the project will equally create direct and indirect employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians.
“The management of TCN appreciates AFD’s efforts at funding transmission infrastructure in Nigeria, particularly for being the first donor to support green field transmission infrastructure in the country.
“The project is expected to be implemented without delay,’’ he said.
Mbah assured that implementation of the TCN’s TREP was on track, saying that contracts for construction of five transmission substations in Abuja and new Lafiya-Abuja 330kv transmission line, also financed by the AFD, had been signed. (NAN)
