The North Core 330kV Interconnection Project, designed to link Nigeria with several West African neighbours, has reached an overall completion rate of 75 per cent.
This progress was confirmed following the conclusion of the 8th joint supervision mission of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) financing partners in Abuja. The mission reviewed the technical and financial status of the North Core 330kV Interconnection Project, which is currently being implemented to connect the electricity grids of Nigeria, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Togo.
The project aims to strengthen regional electricity interconnection and facilitate more efficient power trading across the sub-region. By creating a unified transmission network, the participating nations intend to improve energy security and reduce the frequency of power outages caused by grid instability.
Regional energy integration and stability
The 330kV interconnection serves as a primary high-voltage link in the regional grid. This infrastructure allows countries with surplus energy generation to support those experiencing supply deficits, creating a more balanced and resilient West African energy market.
The supervision mission in Abuja involved key financing partners who monitor the implementation of the project. Their assessment ensures that the construction of transmission lines and substations meets the technical standards required for cross-border energy exchange. The current 75 per cent completion mark indicates that the majority of the heavy civil works and major equipment installations are complete.
For Nigeria, the project provides a mechanism to better manage its national grid through regional integration. As the largest economy in the West African sub-region, Nigeria’s ability to participate in a larger, interconnected pool of energy resources can help stabilise domestic supply and potentially offer opportunities for power export to neighbouring states.
The remaining 25 per cent of the project work will focus on system integration, final technical testing, and the commissioning of the lines. Once fully operational, the interconnection is expected to lower the cost of electricity through improved efficiency and reduced reliance on expensive, isolated thermal generation.
The WAPP financing partners are expected to continue monitoring the final construction phases to ensure the project meets its operational timelines for the participating West African nations.
Explore more News stories from Business Elites Africa.
