The transmission infrastructure has been
described as the weakest link in the country’s electricity supply chain
with lines that are aged, failing, dilapidated and in need of
replacement.
Even if new invertors finally take over
power assets and improve power generation in the country, inadequate
transmission infrastructure will hinder complete transmission of power
to consumers.
In view of this, the Federal Government,
through the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, gave an indication
that $3.07bn would, over time, be spent on increasing transmission
capacity in the country.
Nebo was recently quoted as saying that
the Federal Government had sourced $1.47bn from the World Bank, African
Development Bank, French Development Bank and the Chinese EXIM Bank for
the improvement of the electricity transmission infrastructure.
The minster further said that the
government would use the proceeds from the sale of the 10 National
Independent Power Plants to overhaul transmission networks in the
country.
When put together, $3.07bn would be spent on transmission infrastructure.
Once the Federal Government effectively
put the funds allocated for the TCN to use, the minister said the
country would be able to transmit 10,000 megawatts of electricity.
Nebo said, “We might come up with
10,000MW and might be able to transmit all. That is why a huge sum of
what is being realised as proceeds from the sale of the NIPP plants,
about $1.6bn, has been set aside to finance transmission.
“In addition, the World Bank is funding
(the transmission system) with $800m; the French Development Bank is
funding it with another $170m. When you look at this, we will say there
is a huge investment going on for transmission. We hope with these
investments, we will be able to produce the 10,000MW and at the same
time wheel it out for full distribution. I forgot to mention the $500m
we got from the Chinese EXIM Bank, still for transmission.”
Commenting on this development, the
General Manager, Public Affairs, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mr.
Dave Ifabiyi, explained that the government’s stand on the power sector
reform was very clear; adding that the government was determined to
liberalise the sector and attract investors, with a view to making
electricity available to Nigerians.
He said, “To achieve this, the Federal
Government is privatising the upstream and downstream of the power
sector. That is the generation and distribution arms of the sector. For
the transmission arm, Federal Government has concessioned it out to the
Manitoba Hydro International to ensure superior management of the
national grid, with world best practices.
“Therefore, to achieve this,
transmission capacity has to be increased. New transmission lines and
substations have to be constructed. Many power transformers and other
equipment have to be procured. Since TCN will remain under the Federal
Government, huge funding is required to achieve all these things.”
Ifabiyi expressed optimism that the government would not play politics with increasing transmission capacity in the country.
“This is because it is a
known fact that transmission has to be strengthened since it is expected
that the new owners of the generation and distribution companies will
do the same. A weak transmission grid will make nonsense of all the
efforts and investments put into the Power Sector Reform,” he noted.
Tweet Follow @punshcomempower
50% off Hosting for your Website at GoDaddy.com!
It's a BIG Deal! $5.99* .COM from GoDaddy.com!
It's a BIG Deal! $5.99* .COM from GoDaddy.com!
Host a site without stress on namecheap eApps|YOUR APP HOSTING PROVIDER
Submit your Website
Free webmaster resources including SEO Tools, Computer Glossary, Templates Sign up to BIGTIMEBUX today!
0 comments:
Post a Comment