Electricity supply in Eko Disco to improve

Electricity supply to Ajah, Lekki, Alagbon (Ikoyi) areas of Lagos will enjoy improved power supply as the power transmission projects for the upgrade of substations located in these areas have been completed.

Upgrading of the three substations is part of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) intervention of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), an initiative of the Federal Government to add significant new generation capacity to Nigeria’s electricity supply system together with associated transmission, distribution and gas supply infrastructure.

Speaking on the project, Bayo Oluwafemi, general manager, Projects of Pivot Engineering, said the three substations upgraded “are very unique and among the few GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgears) substations embarked upon by NDPHC, as majority of the other substations have AIS (Air Insulated switchgear).

“These substations would also bring about economic benefit by strengthening the national power grid to enable the government achieve its long-term target of realising 10,000mw.”

Before the NDPHC intervention, Ajah substation had installed capacity of 330KV 300MVA, and has been expanded under the NIPP initiative by the addition of 330KV 150MVA and 132KV 100MVA. The old 132KV GIS system was extended and new 330KV GIS System was installed at Ajah.

There was no substation at Lekki before the NDPHC intervention. As a result of growth and expansion in Lekki, NDPHC contracted the Pivot-Siemens Consortium to construct the new Lekki 132/33KV 120MVA GIS Substation to also provide reliable, quality power to Lekki axis of Lagos State. The scope of work included but was not limited to the installation of new 132KV GIS System and 33KV indoor switchgear to evacuate power though 8Nos 33KV feeders.

The Alagbon Substation was built in the 1980s and in need of repair before NDPHC commenced its upgrade. This substation feeds Ikoyi axis of Lagos. It had 2 x 60MVA 132/33KV AIS Mobile Substation installed by TCN. However, to improve the power supply in Ikoyi, the Alagbon Substation has been upgraded by NDPHC to a 330KV substation.

Also speaking, Robin Evans, director, Projects of Pivot Engineering, said: “The company is happy to collaborate with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited in bringing its expertise and those of its partners in electrical, mechanical and civil works to bear on the power sector.

“Nigeria needs the support of its people to maintain these public infrastructure. The power sector still faces very serious issues with buildings under high tension power lines in urban areas, way leave vandalising in townships and rural areas and the need for quality local labour skills.”

Pivot Engineering Company Limited, a member of Honeywell Group, and its partners, including Siemens Transmission and Distribution SAS France and Siemens Nigeria Limited, were the contractor that executed the projects.