Four countries; Niger, Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso are currently collaborating to buy the unused power produced in Nigeria.
The acting Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria and also Chairman of the Executive Board of the West African Power Pool(WAPP), Sule Abdulaziz, revealed this on Wednesday, June 9, at a WAPP meeting on the Northcore project, in Abuja.
According to Abdulaziz, the four countries were collaborating to make the power purchase from Nigeria through the Northcore Power Transmission Line currently being built.
He however said that Nigeria was expecting new generators to participate in the energy export for the 875km 330KV Northcore transmission line from Nigeria through Niger, Togo, Benin to Burkina Faso.
Abdulaziz said;
“The power we will be selling is the power that is not needed in Nigeria.
“The electricity generators that are going to supply power to this transmission line are going to generate that power specifically for this project. So, it is unutilised power.
“In addition, there are some communities that are under the line route, about 611 of them, which will be getting power so that there won’t be just a transmission line passing without impact.”
He added that the project, which is funded by World Bank, French Development Council and the African Development Bank, had recorded progress, noted that the energy ministers would be addressing security issues for the project at another meeting in Abuja.
“Nigeria has the greatest advantage among these countries because the electricity is going to be exported from Nigerian Gencos (generation companies).
“So, from that, the revenue is going to be enhanced and a lot of people will be employed in Nigeria.”
According to the Secretary-General, WAPP, Siengui Appolinaire-Ki, the cost of the project was about $570m, and each country will fund part of the investment.
The Secretary-General noted that countries in the partnership, including Nigeria, have the support donors, who however are requesting for a Power Purchase Agreement between the buying and selling countries before they can release funds.
