NDPHC invests N500bn in transmission infrastructure

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company has disclosed that it has invested over N500bn in transmission infrastructure across the country.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Jennifer Adighije, stated this during an inspection of the 330/132/33kV Lafia Transmission Substation in Nasarawa State.

A statement issued on Thursday by the General Manager, Corporate Communication and External Relations, Olufunke Nwankwo, said the substation, constructed and commissioned in 2022, is a critical component of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.

She was accompanied on the visit by the Executive Director, Generation, Kassim Abdullahi; Executive Director, Legal Services, Dr Steven Andzenge; and Executive Director, Networks, Bello Babayo Bello.

Speaking after the inspection, Adighije described the facility as world-class, noting that it had significantly improved power supply to Nasarawa and surrounding states.

She said the fund injected by the company was utilised to fund transmission projects, lines, substations, transformer installations, and line-bay extensions across the country.

According to her, “NDPHC has invested over N500bn in transmission projects, lines, substations, transformer installations, and line-bay extensions across the country.

“We are at the Lafia transmission substation, which was delivered by NDPHC and handed over to the Transmission Company of Nigeria. It’s a 330/132/33KV transmission substation, comprising two 150MVA transformers, two 60MVA transformers, and a 75MVA reactor.

“This is a project delivered to world-class standards and is one of the best in line with global best practices. NDPHC was established to provide backbone services for the power sector, ensuring impactful projects across the gas-to-power value chain.”

Adighije explained that despite the sector’s liquidity challenges, the agency remains committed to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by scaling generation, transmission, and access to electricity.

She also debunked claims that the company was unable to generate power optimally, stressing that the transmission limitations were responsible for stranded generation.

“For those who say NDPHC is unable to generate, the real issue is that we have more generation capacity than the transmission network can currently carry. We are focused on scaling infrastructure to evacuate stranded power,” she added.

During a courtesy visit to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, the NDPHC boss appreciated the state’s support and noted that the Electricity Act had opened new opportunities for market-driven operations.

“We are now empowered to stimulate market activities even at the state level, to ensure last-mile delivery of electricity that benefits Nasarawa, NDPHC, and Nigerians at large,” she stated.

In his remarks, Sule praised Adighije’s leadership and acknowledged the improvement at NDPHC under her watch.

He, however, lamented that poor distribution infrastructure had continued to hamper electricity supply in the state despite the improved transmission capacity.

“We are probably transmitting more than we can distribute. You need all the partners. Just like you visited me, visit the Discos. It’s a waste to generate power that cannot be used. If off-takers don’t take the load, you can’t make money,” Sule said.