By Guardian Nigeria

The Federal Government and Siemens Energy have taken steps toward the realisation of 2,000 megawatts under the Phase 1 of the Presidential Power Initiative, PPI.

The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu had engaged Siemens’ Executive Management and Chief Executive Officer, FGN Power Company, Christian Bruche, to expedite actions on the production of the mobile equipment, given the global constraints on component parts and the Ukraine war.

The Minister of Finance and Board Chair, FGN Power Company, Dr. Zainab Shamsuna. Ahmed and Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu had also presented a memo to the Federal Executive Council (FEC), requesting approval for the procurement of 10 power transformers and 10 mobile substations under the Presidential Power Initiative, which was approved.

Further checks showed that the first two energy transformers have been manufactured and will be delivered in September 2022 under a strategy for quick wins following the successful completion of the Factory Acceptance Tests, FAT.

Commenting on the development, the Minister of Power, Aliyu, stated, “I am delighted that the Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) were successful. The transformers will contribute notably to resolving transmission/distribution interface issues in the power sector. Mr President and the Federal Government remain committed to improving access to reliable electricity access to Nigerians. Also, I am confident that the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) will deliver on its objectives to deliver electricity to households and businesses across the country”.

The FAT took place at Siemens Energy High-Voltage Transformer Lab in Trento, Italy with representatives from FGN Power Company as the client and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) as the user for the Power Transformers.

Also, the FAT aims at evaluating the equipment’s compliance with the functional requirements and verifying that the required functional specifications are in line with the International electro-technical Commission (IEC) standards.

Similarly, the Siemens Energy, PPI Project Director, Sean Manley, stated: “The Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of this vital equipment is a major milestone in the progress of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). We take great care and responsibility to ensure our equipment meets the highest possible standards so that millions of people across Nigeria are provided with better access to stable and reliable energy”.

Also, the Managing Director, FGN Power Company, boss, said: “The Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) was successful and the equipment will be delivered and subsequently commissioned in September. I am particularly delighted as this is the first of the major delivery of equipment under the PPI.