Power Supply: Pivot Engineering deliver substations in Lagos
BIODUN AKOMOLAFE
As part of the efforts to ensure that the Federal government realize its long term target of 10,000MW, and achieve reliable and quality power supply to Lagos State, Pivot Engineering Company Limited (PECL) and its partners, Siemens Transmission & Distribution SAS France and Siemens Nigeria Limited, have completed the power transmission projects for the upgrade of substations in Ajah, Lekki and Alagbon (Ikoyi) areas of the State.
Upgrading of the three substations is part of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) intervention of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), itself an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, to add significant new generation capacity to Nigeria’s electricity supply system together with associated transmission, distribution and gas supply infrastructure.
Pivot Engineering Company Limited (PECL) is a member of Honeywell Group.
Speaking on the project the General Manager, Projects of Pivot Engineering, Bayo Oluwafemi, , said that the three substations upgraded “are very unique and among the few Gas Insulated Switchgears (GIS) Substations embarked upon by NDPHC as majority of the other substations have Air Ins ulated switchgear (AIS).” “These substations would also bring about economic benefit by strengthening the national power grid to enable the government achieve its long term target of realizing 10,000MW”, he added.
Before the NDPHC intervention, Ajah Substation had installed capacity of 330KV 300MVA. Ajah Substation has been expanded under the NIPP initiative by the addition of 330KV 150MVA and 132KV 100MVA. The old 132KV GIS system was extended and new 330KV GIS System was installed at Ajah.
There was no Substation at Lekki before the NDPHC intervention. As a result of growth and expansion in Lekki, NDPHC contracted the Pivot-Siemens Consortium to construct the new Lekki 132/33KV 120MVA GIS Substation to also provide reliable, quality power to Lekki axis of Lagos state. The scope of work included but was not limited to the installation of new 132KV GIS System and 33KV indoor switchgear to evacuate power though 8Nos 33KV feeders.
The Alagbon Substation was built in the 1980s and in need of repair before NDPHC commenced its upgrade. This substation feeds Ikoyi axis of Lagos state. It had 2 x 60MVA 132/33KV AIS Mobile Substation installed by TCN. However, to improve the power supply in Ikoyi, Lagos the Alagbon Substation has been upgraded by NDPHC to a 330KV substation.
Also speaking, the Director, Projects of Pivot Engineering, Robin Evans, said “the company is happy to collaborate with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited in bringing its expertise and those of its partners in electrical, mechanical and civil works to bear on the power sector.” “Nigeria needs the support of its people to maintain these public infrastructure. The power sector still faces very serious issues with buildings under high tension powerlines in urban areas, way leave vandalising in townships and rural areas and the need for quality local labour skills”, he concluded.
