The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Tuesday, said it has completed the installation and commissioned a 300MVA 330/132/33kV capacity transformer in Asaba Transmission Substation, Delta state.
TCN in a statement issued in Abuja by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Ms Ndidi Mbah, said the transformer was installed and commissioned on the 10th of January, 2020.
“This is the first time TCN has installed and energized a 300MVA 330/132/33kV capacity power transformer in-house, even though its in-house engineers installed a greater number of the 68 power transformers added to the grid between February 2017 and December, 2019.
“The new Asaba 300MVA 330/132/33kV capacity power transformer replaces a disused 150MVA 330/132/33kV Siemens brand transformer, commissioned by NIPP on the 15th of February, 2015.
“From 2015 to 3rd September, 2019, the 150MVA transformer tripped on two major faults, necessitating the invitation of experts on two occasions by Akay Nig. Ltd (NIPP Contractor) to effect repairs before restoration.
“Another 150MVA Siemens brand transformer was brought into the substation in 2016 and put on plinth, but was also discovered to be faulty. The contractor then moved the transformer to GTI Workshop in Ikorodu, Lagos for repairs’’, the statement said.
It said before the newly energized 300MVA power transformer was installed, TCN temporarily fed the Asaba Transmission Substation through the Onitsha-Asaba 330kV transmission lines connected to the Onitsha – GCM 132/33kV transmission line, which restricted maximum load transmission on Onitisha – Asaba transmission line.
With the commissioning of the new 300MVA power transformer, TCN said it now has available 240MW bulk electricity available in Asaba TS, that would enable Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) distribute more stable and longer hours of electricity to its customers in Asaba Metropolis, Ogwashiukwu, Ibuzor, Agbor, and other towns in Delta North Senatorial Zone.
Meanwhile, TCN said it has plans to utilize the extra plinth for an additional 150MVA power transformer in the substation.
The statement stated that TCN has plans to further expand the capacity of the substation in line with its Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Program (TREP).
