The Civil Engineering Contractor August 2018 | Page 11

INFRASTRUCTURE AFRICA
WEST AFRICA
NIGERIA
Nigeria’s Boko Haram insurgency had destroyed over NGN11-billion
electricity infrastructure, especially distribution and transmission
networks in the north-eastern region where it is active, halting a great
deal of economic activity and livelihoods. However, rehabilitation by
Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) and other agencies
targets has resulted in 24 of 25 projects being completed.
This has led to a total overhaul and expansion of the region’s
infrastructure. Recent interventions by NDPHC aim at addressing
economic challenges and poverty in the north-east with its
more than 25 power distribution projects. Already, NDPHC has
completed about 24 of the projects, while one is on the verge of
completion, said the managing director, Chiedu Ugbo, during a
courtesy visit to the Yola province.
Ugbo said the firm was ready to work with the region in the area
of expanding power infrastructure, including renewable energy,
to mitigate key challenges. He emphasised the need to expand
distribution infrastructure in Nigeria, saying it would reduce the
burden of stranded power. Nine of the projects were handled by
the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) and eight have been
NDPHC boosts power capacity with
25 projects
Boko Haram bent on destroying Nigeria’s infrastructure while
government rebuilds.
completed and handed over to the Yola Electricity Distribution
Company (YEDC). A further three projects were completed
in each of Adamawa and Bauchi states, with one each being
constructed in Gujab and Gulani LGAs of Yobe State.
The NIPP had earlier built 16 units of 7.5MVA 33kV injection
substations and handed them over to the distribution company to
improve customer experience in the region. The projects include
substations, which were executed in Borno, Adamawa, and two
others in Gombe as well as Taraba, Yobe, and Bauchi states.
Ugho said states across Nigeria have indicated interest in
expanding power facilities through the government-owned
company, adding that NDPHC has capacity to deliver necessary
projects across the country. Management had visited some of
the governors, who are board members of the power company,
disclosing that they would visit others to outline progress and
discuss opportunities.
NORTH AFRICA
Tunisia issues 1GW renewable energy
tenders
The North African country of Tunisia has issued two
renewable energy tenders totalling 1GW, including a tender
for 500MW of solar PV and 500MW of onshore wind. The
Tunisian Ministry of Energy, Mines and Renewable Energies
published two announcements in mid-May, announcing
a ‘Pre-qualification call for applications’ for a solar PV
tender worth 500MW and an onshore wind tender worth
500MW.
The announcements came since Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef
Chahed announced that his country would launch an international
tender to build solar and wind plants worth approximately USD1-
billion (reported by Reuters).
At the same time, the prime minister announced a national
programme intended to reduce the energy vulnerability of the
estimated one million low-income families in Tunisia who consume
less than 100 kilowatt-hours a month. The Tunisian government
aims to equip these families with solar units to generate electricity
Group
TUNISIA
Tunisian government opts for renewable power in latest tender.
and help enable them to replace energy-consuming equipment like
refrigerators and lighting fixtures.
The new renewable energy tenders are to be developed under a
build-own-operate (BOO) model, and interested developers are
asked to submit their applications immediately.
Specifically, Tunisia is aiming to build 500MW worth of solar across
the country: 50MW in Tozeur, 50MW in Sidi Bouzid, 100MW in
Kairouan, 100MW in Gafsa, and 200MW in Tataouine. Meanwhile,
the 500MW of wind power is set for Jbel Abderrahmane in Nabeul
(200MW), Jbel Tbaga in the governorate of Kebili (100MW), and a
final 200MW to be proposed by the developer.
The officially announced tender comes close after the announcement
of the winners of a 70MW solar tender, in which the government
awarded six 10MW projects and four 1MW projects. The solar
tender was originally reported back in June 2017 when media
reports predicted a 70MW solar tender and hinted at a 140MW wind
tender, which is yet to come to market.
CEC August 2018 - 9