By John Ikani
Nigeria and Germany inked the Presidential Power Initiative pact on Friday, aiming to enhance electricity provision in Africa’s most populous nation. The signing ceremony, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was overseen by President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The Federal Government of Nigeria Power Company’s Managing Director, Kenny Anuwe, penned the agreement on Nigeria’s behalf, while Nadja Haakansson, Managing Director (Africa) at Siemens AG, represented Germany.
In the aftermath of the signing in Dubai, Mr. Kenny Anuwe of the FGN Power Company commended Siemens Energy’s efficient delivery of vital equipment, valued at over 63 million Euros, to the country since project initiation.
The equipment comprises 10 units of 132/33KV mobile substations, 3 units of 75/100MVA transformers, and 7 units of 60/66MVA transformers, currently undergoing installation at various sites nationwide.
Anuwe was quoted in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, as saying “The project aims to address specific demand centers, prioritizing economic and industrial hubs nationwide. It involves establishing new 330kV and 132/33KV substations in key load centers with economic significance, along with an extensive network of overhead transmission lines connecting new and existing substations.”
The statement went on to underscore President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the accelerated realization and expansion of the PPI, noting its prominence in bilateral discussions between the President and the German Chancellor during meetings in New Delhi, Abuja, and Berlin.
The agreement charts a comprehensive path for the modernization and expansion of Nigeria’s electric power transmission grid. Siemens, with a timeline of 18 to 24 months, is entrusted with the supply, delivery, and installation of the requisite equipment.
Ensuring project sustainability and maintenance, the deal incorporates full technology transfer and training for Nigerian engineers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
