A consortium of INEO and Nexans has just finished the installation of 264 km of high voltage overhead conductors in just 29 days to upgrade a vital power link between Nigeria and Niger, as part of a 7 million euros contract awarded by Société Nigérienne d’Electricité (NIGELEC)
This project is part of a contract to upgrade the capacity of the 264 km power line between Birnin-Kebbi (Nigeria) and Niamey (Niger). The 7 million euros worth contract was awarded by Société Nigérienne d’Electricité (NIGELEC).
Completing the project in a record 29 days was at NIGELEC’s request. “The deadline imposed by NIGELEC was a real challenge for Nexans because the cable had to be installed in winter—a low demand period—so as to minimise service interruptions. The experience and flexibility of all INEO installation staff allowed us to meet this challenge”, said Thierry Capelle, Nexans Overhead Lines business group managing director.
Installing the power link has two important benefits. It will increase the power transmission capacity by at least 75 per cent – to 70 MW in the worst summertime conditions and up to 80 MW in winter, and it will also reduce the need for costly local generation alternatives such as gas, diesel or kerosene powered generators. The new higher performance high voltage link, which should significantly reduce energy losses, will enable NIGELEC to import more power from Nigeria, its main supplier, and thus benefit from a dramatic decrease in cogeneration costs.
The contract involved a total length of 820 km of AERO-Zâ conductors. The company’s Dour plant in Belgium manufactured 740 km of the cable.
