By Ediri Ejoh

THE  Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday commissioned 100 MVA transformers at 132/33KV Alimosho substation, in a bid to boost electricity supply to residents within Ikeja Disco.

While commissioning the project in Lagos, the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of  TCN, Mr Usman Mohammed, said the company was concerned about increasing the quantum of power and quality of electricity being supplied to Nigerians.

He said “TCN is implementing the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Program, TREP, which sort to strengthen grid infrastructure for enhanced wheeling capacity that offers redundancy, consistent with the requirements of N-1 reliability criterion.

“The TREP provide the necessary operational flexibility and reliable power delivery to the Distribution Companies and other class of customers connected directly to the National Grid.”

Mohammed explained that the upgrading of 1X30MVA with 1x100MVA transformer at Alimosho 132/33KV transmission substation has increased its output capacity from 160 MVA to 230 MVA, adding that “with this development, TCN has not only established adequate Transformer capacity to serve these parts of part of Lagos but has also provided the necessary redundancy in line with the requirements of N-1 reliability criterion at Alimosho transmission   substations at present.

“In addition to this development, two projects under the transmission rehabilitation and expansion program will intervene in Lagos and environs. The Nigeria Electricity Transmission Access Project (NETAP) will significantly upgrade the following substations; Ijora, Lekki, Alagbon, Alausa, Maryland, Otta, Egbin, Omowu Odofun, Itire and Akoka.

“Similarly the preparation for the Lagos – Ogun Transmission Project financed by JICA has reached advanced stage. The project will enable to establishment of transmission lines and substations in Likosi, Arigbajo, Badagry, New Agbara, Mountain of   Fire and Redeem etc.’’

He also explained that the ongoing project was part of the world bank $300 million on International Development Association credit to support the rehabilitation and upgrade of Nigeria’s electricity transmission substations and lines, adding that the project was part of the federal government’s power sector recovery programme to boost electricity generation and distribution system.

TCN boss noted that the company has secured over $2billion for the rehabilitation of national grid infrastructure and expansion of its transmission capacities up to 20,000 megawatts target within the next three years.