Siemens to start delivering mega transformers to Nigeria as from September in bid to combat power crisis

NIGERIA'S federal government has announced plans to take delivery of several mega transformers under Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) programme from German multinational Siemens in September this year.

Being brought in to address the nation's chronic power supply problems, the transformers have already undergone a factory acceptance test at Siemens’ factory in Trento, Italy. Kenny Anuwe, the managing director of the Federal Government of Nigeria Power Company, lead a team of experts to Italy to view the transformers being tested.

Isa Sanusi, a spokesperson for the Federal Minister of Power,  said the delegation, which included engineers from Transmission Company of Nigeria, witnessed the factory acceptance test conducted on July 28. He stressed that this came after the minister of power, Abubakar Aliyu, led a delegation to Germany in April where he paid visits to Siemens' Energy factories in Berlin and Frankfurt.

“The factory acceptance test paves the way for Siemens Energy to start delivering the transformers to Nigeria,” Mr Sanusi said.

He added the minister also held meetings with the senior leadership of Siemens Energy on the need to fast-track the delivery of the early orders that would kick-start the transformation of Nigeria’s electricity. In December 2021, finance minister, Zainab Ahmed and Mr Aliyu secured the approval of the Federal Executive Council to spend €63m on the procurement of equipment to boost power supply under the (PPI).

Mr Aliyu said: “The successful factory acceptance test shows Nigeria’s engagement with Siemens Energy is on track. It also shows the federal government’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges.”

Under the first phase of the PPI, Siemens will provide 10 mobile power sub-stations and 10 mega transformers across Nigeria to boost and stabilise the electricity supply. In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari initiated the PPI programme to enable Siemens Energy to upgrade Nigeria’s electricity systems.

Aimed at drastically boosting transmitted power, the first phase of the PPI seeks to modernise, rehabilitate and expand the national grid. It is to achieve this by investing in the electricity value chain, including generation, transmission and distribution systems.