WAPP Electricity Project Crucial to Ending Energy Poverty, Says TCN Boss

WAPP Electricity Project Crucial to Ending Energy Poverty, Says TCN Boss

The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Dr Sule Abdulaziz, says the West African Power Pool (WAPP) “North Core Project ” will accelerate electricity sufficiency in the sub-region.

Abdulaziz, who is also the Executive Board Chairman of WAPP, said this on Friday at the 7th meeting of the Joint Supervision Committee of the pool in Abuja.

He was represented by Aminu Tahir, the General Manager, Project Coordination, TCN.

According to him, the North Core Project 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 to power generation and distribution, it is a lifeline for those living in areas with limited or no electricity access.

“This visionary initiative prioritises underserved regions, aiming to bridge the gap in electricity access.

“It is about bringing power to schools, clinics, and businesses that have long operated in the shadow of energy scarcity,’’ TCN boss said.

He described the North Core Project as a beacon of hope for the communities involved, capable of unlocking their full potential, and promising not only a reliable power supply but also a catalyst for socioeconomic progress.

He commended efforts by Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger and Togo to jointly address their electricity deficit through the Core Project.

According to him, the project is conceived as a vital solution to address the substantial electricity supply-demand imbalance within the ECOWAS region.

He said that the project was a testament to the collaborative spirit of the five West African countries involved.

“These visionary governments and energy authorities joined forces to design this regional interconnection initiative.

“It encompasses 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 fiber optics cables along the lines.

“This project is not merely about transmitting electricity; it is about creating a dynamic, interconnected network that will redefine our energy landscape,” he said.

He said that the primary objective of the North Core Project went beyond infrastructure.

“It aims to catalyse 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,” he said.

In his remarks, WAPP Secretary-General, Mr Siengui Apollinaire KI, said that since its official launch in 2019, the project’s deployment had continued with momentum in the countries involved.

According to him, the residents of our respective countries have followed with enthusiasm and great hope the progress of this project, and our commitment to achieving its goals remains unwavering.

“During the recent period, the North Core Project has recorded significant progress. Foundation, assembly, and lifting works for the lines have commenced, while fencing and leveling of substation sites are in progress.

“This on-the-ground realisation of all the previous work has undoubtedly boosted the energy of our team. NBS And The Task of Delivering Reliable National Data

“The team is more than ready to meet the challenge of constructing the 913 km of lines and the five substations of the project in accordance with the best practices and within the stipulated timeframe” he said.

Within the framework of WAPP, the governments of Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Togo have collaborated to develop a regional interconnection project known as the 330 kv WAPP North Core Project.