The Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Sule yesterday, revealed that the International Development Agency $170million loan would soon start yielding positive results as most of the six transmission substations projects would be commissioned in November and December 2022.
After taking reporters on an inspection tour to the six Abuja ring projects, he said upon completion, the projects would increase the wheeling capacity by 1,000MW.
His words: “So, this project is about six combining lines and substations. We have started from Gwarimpa, where you saw a brand new substation.
“That substation when completed hopefully, around November, December 2022 will bring relief to the areas.
“It is over 90 per cent completed and the contractors are working round the clock to meet the completion date. And when it’s completed it will increase the capacity of the TCN by a certain megawatts capacity.
“So, in all we have six of these projects, which will increase the wheeling capacity of the TCN by over 1000 megawatts. We saw it at Gwarimpa which is around the white area.
“There has been a line existing from Suleja to Katampe 132 line which initially was at Kubwa where we have a station. So, this new station that we have inspected at Dawaki is a new one in order to support the one at Kubwa to give the area more electricity now. The area prior to this time had been dependent on Kubwa.
“So if you separate Dawaki and environs from that of Kubwa, you can imagine how it is going to be in terms of electricity supply in that area.”
He expressed satisfaction with the level of project implementation, noting that all the projects would have been due for commissioning in December this year except the New Apo, which will be commissioned in the first quarter of next year.
The minister explained that the equipment for the implementation of the New Apo are in the ports but were being delayed by flooded roads.
Sule said bandits were delaying and disrupting the 700WW Zungeru Power generation project.
The minister revealed that the project is now on course because military men have been deployed to the area.
The minister said: “But we are working around the clock to ensure that we face it (banditry) head on. The military and other military personnel are helping in that regard.
“But now everything is resolved, the military and the other security agencies have brought in men to assist in securing that area.”