Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has granted Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) access to begin construction work on two 330-kilovolt transmission bays at the Kainji Transmission Substation in Niger State.
The site handover, which took place on Friday, June 5, marks the official commencement of the Kainji Switchyard Units 1G3 and 1G4 bays construction project.
According to TCN, the project will include civil, electrical, mechanical works, as well as testing and commissioning, in preparation for full integration into the national grid upon completion.
The new 2x330kV bays are expected to support the evacuation of an additional 220 megawatts of electricity from two new turbines to be installed at the Kainji Hydro Power Plant. Each turbine is projected to generate 110 megawatts.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Chairman of the Project Technical Committee and General Manager, Materials Control and Stores at TCN, Engineer Abdulkadir Gwaram Adamu, described the project as a key milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s power transmission capacity.
He said the development would enable TCN to efficiently evacuate power generated by Mainstream Energy Solutions once the new turbines become operational.
Engineer Adamu also commended MESL for its commitment to improving electricity supply in the country, noting that the project will be executed entirely by the company at no cost to TCN and is expected to be completed by December this year.
In his response, the Chief Technical Officer of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, Engineer Cleber Romao Grisi, expressed appreciation to TCN for granting access to the site and assured that the project would be delivered within schedule.
Also present at the ceremony were senior officials from both organisations, including representatives from TCN’s Transmission and Business Development departments and the Kainji Work Centre.
TCN says the project is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the national grid and improve power evacuation capacity across the country.