The TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mbah said that this was the first time the TCN would install and energise a 300 Mega Volt Amp (MVA) 330/132/33 Kilo Volt (KV) capacity power transformer in-house.
“Though, it is in-house, engineers had 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 Feb. 15, 2015.
“From 2015 to Sept. 3, 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.
Mbah said that 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.
She said that this restricted maximum load transmission on Onitsha-Asaba transmission line.
The GM said that with the commissioning of the new 300MVA power transformer TCN now has available 240MW bulk electricity available in Asaba Transmission Station.
“This would enable Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) distributes more stable and longer hours of electricity to its customers in Asaba Metropolis, Ogwashiukwu, Ibuzor, Agbor, and other towns in Delta North Senatorial Zone.
“ TCN already has in place plans to utilise the extra plinth for an additional 150MVA power transformer in the substation as it plans to further expand the capacity of the substation in line with its Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Program (TREP).
“TCN hereby restates its resolve to continue to implement the incremental power policy of the Federal Government by consistently investing in capacity expansion initiatives, evidenced by several completed and ongoing projects in the transmission network nationwide, ‘’she said.
According to Mbah, it was the third time within January that the company had successfully installed transformers in different parts of the country.
