The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) had unfolded plans to expend N1.04billion for the speedy completion of the evacuation project designed to significantly improve power supply across Nasarawa State and its environs.
The project is designed to evacuate power from the two new 150MVA 330/132KV and two other 60MVA 132/33KV transmission substations at Akurba being built by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).
It is an intervention scheme designed to step down bulk power for TCN from the 330KV Ikot-Ekpene-Ugwuaji-Apir-Jos transmission line.
The Managing Director of AEDC, Engr. Ernest Mupwaya in a statement issued and signed by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Oyebode Fadipe said AEDC is preparing its networks for the evacuation of the load that will become available from the transmission facility slated for completion in the 1st quarter of 2020.
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While stressing the need to ensure that it plays its own role within this laudable project, he said: “The TCN project will provide a massive boost in power supply potentials to Nasarawa State up to southern Kaduna and even parts of Plateau State. There will be more hours of electricity available on the network and a significant improvement in the voltage profile of the state.
“However, if we do not play our own part, that power will not get into people’s homes. We are putting all efforts at ensuring the project is completed in good time. We will leave no stone unturned.”
He further explained that: “The evacuation project includes the construction of four 33KV feeders, a new 5MVA injection substation for the rice mill in Lafia, take-off bays for the new two units of 60MVA 132/33KV Akurba Transmission station in Lafia, the rehabilitation of existing 33KV and 11KV distribution lines across the state and the relief and upgrading of distribution transformers.
“It also includes the upgrade of two units of 1MVA injection substations to 5.0MVA at Awe and Keana areas, and the upgrade of a 2.5MVA injection substation at Obi to a 5MVA injection substation.
“Since the project started in September 2019, over N160 million has been committed to key constructions in the first phase. With its completion, customers in Akwanga and environs will begin to enjoy power supply directly rather than the present situation where they split their power supply with Lafia.
Engr. Mupwaya however, assured that with the commissioning of the TCN facility and the completion of the AEDC substation, customers in the state will soon begin to enjoy better power supply that will boost the quality of life and catalyse socio-economic growth and development in the state.
Earlier in 2018, AEDC had deployed the expertise of its engineers to rehabilitate the 33KV power distribution line from Keffi to Mararaba to ensure that the DisCo evacuates more power from the upgraded 132/33kV Keffi transmission substation.