The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) stated that the Lafia 2X150 Megavolt-Ampere (MVA) 2X60/132/33/330 kilovolt (kV) transmission and substation has finally been completed and powered on.
Mr. Sanya Adejokun, NDPHC technical consultant (media), issued a statement in Abuja on Monday.
Adejokun stated that the multi-billion-dollar Naira National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) 330/132/33kV Lafia transmission and substation contract was awarded in November 2016 by Niger Delta Power Holdings.
Adejokun stated that work started at the Akurba site in 2017 and pointed out that NIPP aims to strengthen the power infrastructure and improve the nation's supply.
"The 2 x 150MVA 330/33kV transformers T1 and T2 and the 75MVar shunt reactor (for voltage regulation/control) were successfully energized on November 30.
"By Wednesday, December 1, 24 hours after the 2 x 60MVA 132/33kV transformers T3 and T4 were successfully energized. Mr. Ife Oluwa Oyedele, Executive Director of NDPHC Network, stated that the Lafia 330/132/33kV substation is the latest such substation in the current grid.
"Moreover, it is equipped with the world's most advanced digital control and protection facilities, with a fully functional human-machine interface (HMI), which can enhance the flexibility of real-time operation, monitor and control all substation electrical variables," he said.
The governor of Nasarawa State Abdullah Sulei, who witnessed the technical commissioning of the power transmission and substation, praised the successful completion of the project: "The Rafia substation has been successfully tested and connected to the grid.
"The transmission substation has the capacity to transmit and meet the 240MW load demand. The project will strengthen and guarantee the uninterrupted power supply of Nasarawa and its surrounding states.
"Prior to this, even in government buildings, Rafia could not use electricity from the distribution network, because the 33 kV line from Akwanga was seriously overloaded and was not enough to supply power to the state capital and its surrounding areas.
“The project will also help provide feedback to FCT when necessary, because FCT is provided by Shiroro and Geregu power stations,” he said.
Oyedele said that the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has almost completed the network of distribution feeders, which will ensure that residents of the state and surrounding areas immediately begin to enjoy the full benefits of the completed Rafia substation.
He said that during the construction period, the project provided a source of employment and capacity building for dozens of Nigerians, because most of the technicians and engineers on site were Nigerians.