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TCN gets N5.9bn W/Bank grant to study electricity demand

By Simon Echewofun Sunday

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said it has secured about $30million (about N5.977billion) grant to study the nature of electricity load demand and energy mix in Nigeria.

The Deputy Managing Director, Engr. Mohammed Atiku who said this yesterday at the 5th Nigerian International Power Expo and Conference noted that the problem of the power sector is due to lack of reliable data.

The event organized by BKG Exhibition Limited and the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja brought together key actors in the sector with aim of improving on the existing policies and achievements.

Atiku said electricity demand and supply are two critical elements that must be studied and quantified to help operators strategize on appropriating them. He said “Failure to do that, the sector will be in very bad shape and I am sorry to say this is what is causing the situation we have in Nigeria.”

He revealed that TCN is in the process of starting the study saying, “This is one of the reason why the TCN on its own, even though it is out our mandate, we have been seeking to get the actual demand of our electricity. We have gotten a grant from World Bank and will soon embark on a study which is going to be industry wide to determine this load demand and even our energy mix.

“When the study is concluded it is going to take 30 months to complete with grant released from the World Bank. It is in the process. I can’t remember exactly the figure but it is going to be as much as $30 million attached to that. But I will confirm that figure. That study will be able to come up with detailed report on the energy demand and supply with appropriate energy mix for the country” he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Louis Edozien said the ministry plans to execute a renewable energy and conservation policy and coal-to-power policy with generation utilities under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP).

Represented by the Director of Renewable Energy, Engr. Aboyomi Adebisi, he said there also plans to secure funding for TCN long term expansion plan from the Transmission Development Fund, International Development Bank and multilateral agencies to raise its wheeling capacity to 10,000megawatts (mw).