The power line linking Nigeria to four neighbours is more than 75 per cent built. Nigeria's part is not finished
The North Core line will join the grids of Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Togo and Burkina Faso. TCN says substations in three partner countries are already working, while Nigeria's 330kV section is still under way.
In 30 seconds
- The WAPP North Core interconnection has "surpassed 75 per cent of overall completion", TCN said on 5 November.
- It links Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Togo and Burkina Faso and was launched in 2019.
- Substations are working in Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. In Nigeria, work continues on the 330kV line and its connection to the grid.
- TCN reported 5,726 people compensated, 170 communities electrified in Burkina Faso and Niger, and 2,483 jobs.
A high-voltage line meant to carry electricity from Nigeria across the Sahel has passed three-quarters of the way to completion, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says.
The project
The West African Power Pool (WAPP) North Core project links the grids of Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Togo and Burkina Faso. It was launched in 2019. TCN gave the progress figure at the opening of a review by the project's financing partners in Abuja, which ran from 26 October to 6 November. Representatives of the African Development Bank and the World Bank attended.
The project "has surpassed 75 per cent of overall completion", TCN said in a release on 5 November. Engr Aminu Tahir, TCN's General Manager for programme coordination, spoke on behalf of TCN's Managing Director, Engr Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, who also chairs WAPP's executive board.
Where each country stands
According to TCN:
- Benin: the Malanville substation has been provisionally accepted, and work on the crossing of the River Niger is under way.
- Burkina Faso: the Ouaga Est and Ouaga Sud-Est substations and 33 km of 225kV lines have been commissioned.
- Niger: equipment at the Niamey II and Gazaoua substations has been working since July, steadying the two 132kV lines that already carry power from Nigeria.
- Nigeria: work is ongoing to finish the 330kV line and prepare its connection to the national grid.
The release does not give a date for Togo's section.
TCN said 5,726 people affected by the route had been compensated, 170 communities in Burkina Faso and Niger electrified, and 2,483 jobs created along the corridor. It listed insecurity, flooding, COVID-19, supply chain problems, politics and border closures as the reasons for delays.
What is missing
The release gives no total cost, no length for the Nigerian section and no completion date. Partner countries' substations are ahead of Nigeria's line, which means the link cannot carry its full load until the Nigerian part is done.
What it means for you
Nigeria already sells power to Niger, Benin and Togo. A stronger line would let it sell more, earning money for the power sector, and in time could let Nigeria buy power when its own plants fall short. It will not change your supply this month. At home, the bigger problem this week is that too little power is being generated. Read why.
Words to know
- WAPP
- The West African Power Pool, which links national grids so countries can trade electricity.
- Interconnection
- A high-voltage line that joins two or more national grids.
- 330kV
- The highest voltage on Nigeria's grid, used for long lines that carry the most power.
- Substation
- A site where voltage is raised or lowered so power can move between lines.
Sources
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