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