- A new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that would allow the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to perfectly monitor and control field devices at a remote location is to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2024, the Transmission agency has announced.
The TCN has reassured the public of the completion of the World Bank sponsored system deployment project by that period.
The Chairman of the TCN Steering Committee on the Implementation of the World Bank SCADA/EMS and Telecommunication project, Balarabe Abdullahi, gave the assurance at a meeting to evaluate the work of the committee in Abuja on Thursday.
When deployed, the system would help the TCN to monitor and control activities of electricity generating companies (GENCos), distribution companies (DISCos) and the transmission network.
Commending members of the committee for their efforts towards ensuring the smooth implementation of the project, Abdullahi, who is also the General Manager, Technical Services (TCN), said all was now set for the full deployment of the new SCADA system.
He said the deployment of the SCADA would help reduce most of the challenges associated with efficient supply of electricity in the country.
The steering committee, Abdullahi said, has worked tirelessly with the contractor and staff of TCN across the country to identify possible challenges that could hinder the smooth execution of the project.
He said some gaps have been identified and the committee was set to meet with TCN management to find ways to resolve them.
Presenting the report of the steering committee on the rehabilitation of the World Bank SCADA for internal review, TCN Executive Director, Independent System Operator, Mamman Lawal, said all equipment for the project have been imported into the country.
However, he said the contractor was having problems with the payment of 7.5 percent value added tax (VAT) as the waiver extended to the industry expired last year.
He called on the management of TCN to reach out to the Federal Government to renew the waiver as the cost component of VAT was not included in the initial plan.
He confirmed that some staff of TCN have been sent to Europe and China for training in every area of the company’s operations, including the technical and telecommunication management of the SCADA system when deployed.
Meanwhile, TCN said its contractors would soon begin the installation of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) along the Benin-Ihovbor transmission lines and rehabilitation of SCADA System in its Benin transmission network.
The exercise was scheduled to commence Friday, December 1, to Sunday, December 3, 2023.
Consequently, the company said power interruption would occur for five hours from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on those days to create a safe working environment for the contractors.
During the period, TCN said Benin DISCo would be unable to offtake power from the following feeders for onward distribution to its customers, including Egor 33kV, Evbuotubu 33kV, GRA 11kV Commercial, GRA 33kV, Ihama 11kV, Ugbor 11kV, Dumez 11kV, Oluku 33kV, Uwelu 11kV, Iguosa 11kV, lyowa 11kV, and Oluku 11kV feeders.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause electricity consumers that are supplied electicity by Benin Distribution Company from the affected feeders. The installations are a necessity, as they will contribute to grid stability.
