Beyond Transformer Acquisition, Consumers Intensify Call For Improved Electricity Supply

As the epileptic electricity supply persists across the country, consumers have intensified their desire to see better supply of electricity from the grid to enhance their lives and boost economic activities.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has in recent weeks announced that several transformers and electrical infrastructure accessories were delivered to substations in different parts of the country.

On January 24, 2023, the TCN said a brand new 100MVA Power Transformer was placed on plinth at Ijora 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Lagos Region of TCN.

Two days later on January 26th, the company said the Lekki 330/132/33kV Transmission Substation had received truckloads of transformer accessories and switchgears in TCN Lagos Region.

Then on January 27, the TCN said it took delivery of 100MVA transformer and six truckloads of transformer accessories in Dakata 132/33kV Transmission Substation as well as

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six truckloads of transformer accessories delivered a few days earlier, to the same substation.

While, announcing the Dakata deliveries, the TCN had said, “Kumbotso and DanAgundi have taken deliveries of similar transformers. And now Dakata has joined them. Hopefully, this translates to better electricity to Kano. The 100MVA power transformer will increase bulk power through the substation to Kano DisCo for onward distribution to its customers in Sharada Industrial Area and some parts of Kano Metropolis.. Similar ongoing projects across the country.”

The transformers and accessories are part of TCN’s World Bank-funded projects, and on installation will add 80MW to the substation. In November last year, the federal government said it was boosting transmission capacity with additional 1000MW through its Abuja ring project.

Despite these assurances and the spate of new deliveries and installations, the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is yet to record any appreciable improvement in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

My checks reveal that power generated and made available on the national grid hovers around 4,000MW on average despite billions of dollars invested in the sector.

Total power generation in the country stood at 3,545.20MW by 4pm on Sunday, according to data from the Nigeria Electricity System Operator.

Mrs Juliet Uka lamented that power supply in the also been very poor adding that to make matters worse, petrol, which Nigerians would have used to help themselves, was unavailable.

“The power supply at home has not helped matters; it has been terribly poor, my phones are dead and we cannot power the generating set because there is no fuel, this is terribly frustrating.

Nigerians have continued to decry the persistent unreliable, and epileptic power supply across the country. “Millions of Nigerians continue to live in darkness in spite of the huge amount of money so far invested by governments as well as bailouts to electricity companies,” another consumer Joel Ogar said.

Reacting to the new transformers, Dalhatu Gwarzo expressed hope that these translate to better electricity supply.