The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has inaugurated the Ihovbor/Benin and Ihovbor/Ajaokuta 330kV turn-in-turn-out transmission line project in Edo State as part of efforts to strengthen electricity supply across the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Thursday, TCN Managing Director, Sule Abdulaziz, said the project would improve the nation’s transmission network and enhance bulk power evacuation from the Ihovbor substation to distribution load centres nationwide.
According to Abdulaziz, the project links the existing Benin/Ajaokuta 330kV transmission line to the Ihovbor substation through two new routes covering a total distance of 14 kilometres.
“With the completion of this strategic project, we have increased the operational flexibility of the transmission network and strengthened the resilience of power delivery within the Benin corridor by connecting it to the power plant,” he said.
He explained that the transmission line would enable TCN to more effectively evacuate electricity generated by the Azura Power plant and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) facility.
Abdulaziz added that the project would reduce transmission bottlenecks, improve system reliability and increase access to bulk electricity for distribution companies across the country.
“Significantly, with the nation’s grid system, the new transmission line will enable more efficient wheeling of bulk electricity to any part of the country,” he stated.
The TCN boss said the successful completion of the project reflects the company’s commitment to expanding and modernising the national grid through collaboration with stakeholders in the power sector.
He attributed the project’s completion to the support of the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministry of Power, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and host communities.
Abdulaziz also acknowledged a letter of appreciation from the Ihovbor community commending TCN for paying compensation to residents affected by the transmission corridor project.
“As we commission this project today, TCN reaffirms its resolve to continue investing in the expansion of transmission infrastructure nationwide. We are determined to build a grid that not only meets today’s demands, but is also future ready,” he added.
Earlier, TCN General Manager for Engineering, Mojeed Akintola, disclosed that work on the project began in 2017 but faced several challenges before it was completed.
Speaking on behalf of the host community, Fortune Osakpanmwan, the Enogie of Ihovbor/Evbueka, thanked TCN for completing the project.
He, however, appealed to the company to provide electricity to the community, noting that residents still lack access to power supply.
