Power capacity hits 6000mw as Jonathan commissions FCT substation

Jonathan-5-02-15 — President Goodluck Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan disclosed yesterday that the nation’s electricity generation capacity has increased to 6000MW just as he commissioned a 330/132/33kv transmission substation in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The substation, executed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), is meant to boost the wheeling of generated power to FCT and environs.

Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, also noted that the transmission infrastructure has increased to 5500mw, meaning that the nation is able to wheel much of the generated electricity, depending on the availability of gas.

According to him, the second phase of NIPPs through the hydropower plants would generate up to 4,000mw and step up wheeling capacity to 20,000mw. There are the large hyrdos and the 13 existing medium hydro dams, mostly in the northern part of the country.

The President also noted that his government had worked tirelessly to improve power in the country, stressing that posterity will judge his work positively. He noted that NIPP would soon enter its second phase, while assuring that the project would focus on the construction of hydropower plants, especially in the north.

Jonathan also spoke of efforts to diversify Nigeria’s energy sources in the power sector, stating: “We are confident that posterity will place us on the good side of history. All the projects undertaken under NIPP were professionally advised and executed in the interest of our great country.”

Of the FCT project, he noted: “Gwagwalada substation will evacuate power from ‎434mw Geregu II NIPP plant to the FCT through the 222.6kms 330kV double circuit line from Ajaokuta in Kogi State; there is a final 30km 330kV double circuit line terminating at the Shiroro (Niger State) and Katampe (Abuja) 330kV DC lines.

“Since the completion of these works, the FCT and indeed the national grid have experienced remarkable system stability, especially during system disturbances that have in the past resulted in total system collapse.”

Also speaking, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, stressed: “We are pleading with those vandalising our gas pipelines to give Nigeria a chance to enjoy what this administration has done. Today we have 6,000mw generation capacity, if there is gas, and we can evacuate up to 5,500mw.”