Transmission Company of Nigeria confirms major milestone for the regional power interconnection infrastructure.
The West African Power Pool North Core 330kV Interconnection Project has reached a major milestone, surpassing 75 per cent of overall completion across the region.
The multinational initiative links five nations, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo, to strengthen electricity security and cross-border energy trade.
Participating countries and development partners reviewed the progress in Abuja during the 8th Joint Supervision Mission, according to information published by The Sun Nigeria.
WAPP North Core Project Objectives and Leadership
Launched in 2019, the regional power initiative aims to support the development of a unified regional electricity market. Speaking on behalf of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Engineer Aminu Tahir emphasized the need for sustained cooperation.
WAPP Secretary General Mr. Abdoulaye Dia, represented by Mr. Kodjo Afidegnon, noted that the infrastructure is designed to facilitate stable cross-border electricity exchanges and improve power reliability for all participating nations.
Implementation Challenges Along the Corridor
Despite significant achievements, the construction faced severe obstacles over the years. Officials reported that security challenges along parts of the project corridor caused disruptions and temporary suspensions.
Additional hurdles included the COVID-19 pandemic, flooding, supply chain disruptions, difficult political circumstances, and border closures, which collectively increased project costs and caused construction delays.
Substation and Transmission Line Progress
Despite these setbacks, national utilities achieved notable progress across the member states. In Benin, the Malanville substation received provisional acceptance, and work on the Niger River crossing is currently underway.
In Burkina Faso, the Ouaga Est and Ouaga Sud-Est substations were successfully commissioned alongside 33 kilometers of 225 kV transmission lines linking them to the local power network.
Social and Environmental Milestones
The project also advanced its social commitments by compensating 5,726 project-affected persons and successfully resolving almost all reported community grievances regarding land and infrastructure.
Furthermore, the initiative successfully electrified 170 communities across Burkina Faso and Niger while creating 2,483 direct jobs along the entire designated project corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WAPP North Core 330kV Interconnection Project?
It is a regional power infrastructure initiative linking Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo to improve cross-border electricity trade and supply security.
Which countries are involved in the WAPP North Core Project?
The participating countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo, working alongside national utilities and development partners like the African Development Bank.
What challenges has the WAPP North Core Project faced?
The project experienced delays due to security concerns along the corridor, flooding, supply chain disruptions, border closures, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
