- The project, which is expected to add about 624MW of transmission capacity, is currently about 91 per cent completed.
- Launched in 2018, the Abuja Ring Transmission Project experienced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, technical upgrades, and right-of-way issues.
Electricity customers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and surrounding areas are expected to enjoy improved and more reliable power supply with the completion of the Abuja Ring Transmission Project. The project, currently about 91 per cent complete and executed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), will add about 624MW of transmission capacity.
The Abuja Ring project comprises six lots of transmission lines and substation constructions designed to strengthen bulk power delivery to the FCT and its environs. The project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD).
Launched in 2018, the Abuja Ring Transmission Project experienced delays arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and technical upgrades. Despite these challenges, TCN has continued to make steady progress, with the project now nearing completion.
Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of the project last week, the Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider, TCN, Engr. Dr Olugbenga Ajiboye said the project forms part of TCN’s future-readiness strategy to meet the growing electricity needs of Abuja and Nigerians at large.
He, however, noted that the timely completion of the project has been constrained mainly by right-of-way challenges. According to him, although COVID-19 restrictions and port-related issues also affected project timelines, those challenges have since been resolved, leaving right-of-way issues as the major setback.
Engr. Ajiboye appealed to the Federal Government to intervene and support TCN in resolving the right-of-way constraints to enable the completion and energisation of the project. “It’s unfortunate that some Nigerians don’t see things as useful as both of us. So many people are so determined that we will not pass where the line is supposed to be, and these are some powerful people,” he said.
He added, “We will appeal to the people in government to please help us to appeal to them so that we can go through those routes and be able to get supply to the substations. That is a major problem, this right-of-way issue.”
Some substations under the project have already been completed, but remain unconnected because certain transmission lines could not be installed due to unresolved right-of-way disputes.
The ongoing transmission projects under the Abuja Ring scheme are located in Dawaki-Gwarinpa, Lugbe, New Apo, Wumbai, and Kuje. Power from the completed facilities will be off-taken and distributed by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
The Abuja Feeding Scheme consists of six lots: Lots 1 and 2 cover transmission lines from Lafia to New Apo and within Abuja; Lots 3, 4, and 5 include substations at New Apo, Lugbe West Main, Kuje, and Wumba-Lokogoma; while Lot 6 covers the Gwarinpa Transmission Substation.