The Minister of Power, Engr. Aliyu and the Ag. MD/CEO of TCN, Engr. Dr. Sule Abdulaziz have inspected on-going TCN substations and the Lambar Rimi Windmill Project in Katsina State. The project inspection which took place on the eve of 2022, was to ascertain the level of completion of the projects and their capacity to increase bulk power delivery in Katsina and environs, as well as to enable the Ministry intervene appropriately to facilitate their completion.

330kV Katsina Substation Speaking with journalists after inspection of the Katsina 330kV Substation project, Engr. Aliyu noted that the power sector in Nigeria attained a commendable level of stability in 2021, with only two system collapses throughout the year which was a major milestone achievement when compared to earlier years where system collapses several times within a year.

According to him, the Federal Government is working to further enhance system stability with the Siemens Project which will intervene in transmission and distribution capacities in the first and second phase to bring them to 7,000MW and 11,000MW respectively, while the third phase intervention will include generation to raise the combined operational capacity of the sector to 25,000MW. This, the Minister noted, was part of efforts by the Government to enhance power-related businesses and economic activities in the country. 

Commenting on the progress of work at the site, the Ag. MD/CEO TCN, Engr. Dr. Abdulaziz said that the Katsina Substation was initially awarded years ago but was abandoned and resuscitated last year, because of the importance and strategic location of the substation in that axis. He explained that work was on-going on the Switchyard with two (2no) 60MVA power transformers already on plinth. TCN, he noted was awaiting delivery of two (2) 150MVA power transformers for the 330kV part of the substation, work is almost complete on the station’s administrative block, while the execution of the 330kV transmission line from Rimin Zakara to the substation has reached Zakara town and advancing.

The Katsina Substation was initially conceived as a Work Centre in the year 2020, but was upgraded to the status of a substation in 2021 by the present Management of TCN. When completed, the Substation will supply bulk power to six 132kV substations; three of which are already existence, including the Kankiya, Katsina, and Daura 132kV Substations. while three are ongoing viz Dutsin-Ma, Kurfi, Malumfashi.  

132kV Kankia Substation. At the Kankia 2x60MVA 132/33kV Transmission Substation, the Minster inspected materials stowed at the substation yard meant for the ongoing construction of the 330kV transmission line from Katsina to Kano. Presently, construction works on the line has progressed to Tsanyawa Local Government in Kano State and ongoing. The Minister while speaking with the contractors, cautioned that the Government would not tolerate further delay in the execution of the transmission line and encouraged them to bring up any challenge that requires intervention for quick action.

Lambar Rimi 10MW Windmill During the visit to the Lambar Windmill Substation Project, in Charanchi Local Government Area of the State, the Minister explained that a number of procurements were made by the Ministry of Power, under the Presidential Power Initiative targeted at assisting Nigeria to systematically raise its electricity capacity to 25,000MW

Awarded in June, 2009, by the Ministry of Power, the Lambar Windmill project was designed to generate 10MW of electricity for Katsina State, with 12 months time line for completion, but for a security-related incident which occurred in 2012, at the peak of execution that delayed the work for a protracted time.

At the Wind Farm site however, it was observed that of the Thirty-Seven (37) wind turbines installed, six (6) had been vandalized. Engr. Aliyu confirmed that the Ministry was working towards fixing the vandalized towers before the planned commissioning of the wind farm. Each of the turbines has the capacity to generate 275Kilowatts.

Earlier, the Minister had inspected the Liyafa 33/11 Injection Substation that directly evacuates energy generated by the wind farm for onward distribution to electricity consumers in Katsina State.

The official visit signaled the Minister’s determination to ensure that power projects are given the attention they require in 2022, to ensure that the government’s goal for the power sector is actualized.