The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has achieved a milestone with the inauguration of newly constructed Ihovbor/Benin and Ihovbor/Ajaokuta 330KV turn-in-turn-out transmission line at the Ihovbor transmission substation in Edo State.
Speaking at the event on Thursday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, revealed that the facility will help strengthen the nation’s transmission network to enable them evacuate more bulk electricity from Ihovbor transmission substation to distribution load centers nationwide.
He said the project involves the strategic linking of the existing Benin/Ajaokuta 330kV transmission line to the Ihovbor Transmission Substation, creating two new transmission routes with a total length of 14 kilometres.
Abdulaziz assured that with the completion of the strategic project, they have increased the operational flexibility of the transmission network and strengthened the resilience of power delivery within Benin corridor by this connection to the power plant.
He noted that the importance of this project cannot be overstated as it grants TCN the ability to more efficiently evacuate power generated by the Azura Power Plant and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company plant.
He said this has equally helped in alleviating transmission bottlenecks, enhanced system reliability, while allowing the distribution companies access to more bulk electricity for its customers nationwide.
“Significantly, with the nation’s grid system, the new transmission line will enable more efficient wheeling of bulk electricity to any part of Nigeria, according to him.
“Beyond the enhanced flexibility in power evacuation, this project is another step towards our goal of developing a strong and efficient transmission grid”, he said.
For the contractor, Managing Director, Energo, Predrag Mihel, said the newly completed Turn-in and Turn-Out of the Benin- Ajeokuta 330kV Single Circuit Transmission Line at Ihovbor Power Plant, includes the construction of approximately 14 kilometers of 330kV double-circuit transmission line, comprising 30 towers and foundations including dead-end, angle and suspension towers.
Mihel noted that the double-circuit line, carrying twin Bisons conductors, will enable the additional evacuation of approximately 1.5GW of power from both the NIPP and Azura Power Plants into the national grid, further strengthening Nigeria’s transmission network and improving grid reliability
He said the project is not only a technical achievement, but also a result of trust, teamwork, professionalism, and strong cooperation between ICN and ENERGO.
Also speaking, General Manager, Engineering, Mojeed Akintola, explained that there was a slight delay in the project but all have been resolved, which has given rise to the completion of the project.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Enogie of Ihovbo, Chief Fortune Igbinakenzua, described the relationships between the company and the community as very cordial.
But he lamented the epileptic power supply to community noting that it is unfortunate to have such a power station yet not having constant light, while urging the company to employ the youths in the Community.
