NDPHC commissions 330KV switching station in Akwa Ibom
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), owner of National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) has commissioned the 330kV Switching Station located in EssienUdim / IkotEkpene LGA of Awka Ibom State.
Commissioning the switchyard project, the Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, said the station involves three double circuit lines that stretched over 287 kilometres.
They will energise the IkotEkpene-Calabar, IkotEkpene-Alaoji, and Ikot-Ekpene-Ugwuaji Transmission Lines.
Fashola said the project is meant to increase transmission grid capacity, adding that the completion of the switching station is a prove that those who have been telling the public that the transmission capacity is static at 5000 MW are wrong.
The minister explained that all the power plants in the Eastern Region have combined capacity of 1,846MW, comprising 561MW Calabar, 450MW in Alaoji, 185MW Ibom power and 650MW Afam VI.
He said before now, the first three plants were producing 100MW each and 300MW for the Afam VI power plant, all totalling 600MW.
He added that with the commissioning of IkotEkpene Switching Station, there will be incremental output until full capacity is available to add an extra 1,246MW to the grid.
He commended the management of NDPHC who midwife the project and the focused dedication of Ugbo and his team for this great success.
He stated: “What is different about these projects is that it involves three double circuit lines that stretch over 287 kilometres. It is meant to increase transmission grid capacity and now that it has been completed, it proves that those who have been telling the public that the transmission capacity is static at 5000 MW are wrong.
“Secondly, you have heard the story of stranded power. That is power that is either present because the plant exists but has no gas. That is true and government is working to facilitate gas access to those plants.
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1 Comments
There is the need to work on providing more gas to the power plant so that they can be generating to their max. we need to change the rules or law to allow power plant to build their own transmission within their area of generation. we can’t continue to wait for the transmission company to increase their capacity.
We will review and take appropriate action.