The Secretary-General West African Power Pool (WAPP), Siengui Apollinaire Ki, at the weekend said the political crises and insecurity in Niger and Burkina Faso will stall the completion of the core North project in 2024.
He broke the news at the 7th meeting of the Joint Supervision Committee (JSC) of the WAPP Core North Project in Abuja.
According to him, the project’s completion is aimed at 2025 and would provide electricity from Nigeria to other landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo, Benin Republic and other West African countries.
Ki said the project, which will cost close to $7million, has the potential to provide energy generation companies in Nigeria new market to expand their operations.
The Secretary-General also noted that the project is funded by donors like the World Bank (the main funder of the project), African Development Bank, the European Union and Nigeria, with the World Bank providing 60 per cent funding.
“This is a big challenge for us. We have to put in place strategies to be able to continue the project but this came with delay. So the project was delayed. Surely, we will not be able to conclude it in two years but we hope to make it in three years. That’s, rather than concluding it in 2024, we will be able to finish it in 2025.”
Earlier, the Managing Director of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Dr Sule Ahmed Abdullaziz, said the government of the countries joined forces to design the regional interconnection initiative, encompassing the construction of 880 km of 330 kV and 33 km of 225 kV high voltage transmission lines.
“Beyond the transmission lines, the project sets out to construct or extend five substations and deploy cutting-edge technologies like SCADA systems and fibre optic cables along the lines.”
He added that the project isn’t merely about transmitting electricity but creating a dynamic, interconnected network that will redefine energy landscape.
“It aims to catalyze efficient energy trade, encourage commercial exchange agreements, and bring electricity access to communities along the transmission line. Envisioned as a transformative force, this project is the lifeline that will interconnect the destinies of our respective countries. The importance of this initiative transcends borders, echoing the spirit of unity within the ECOWAS region.”
“Now, why is this project crucial? It stands at the forefront of a multifaceted effort to break the shackles of energy poverty and elevate the living standards of our communities. Beyond being a paradigm shift in how we approach power generation and distribution, it is a lifeline for those living in areas with limited or no electricity access.”
Source: The Nation
