Oredola Adeola
Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has concluded plans to invest ₦1.2billion for the construction of 35KM of 33kV high tension (HT) line from Bichi Transmission Sub-station to Dawanau market, installation of 2Nos 500KVA 33/.415 transformers, and low tension (LT) lines to improve power supply to the famous Dawanau International Grains Market, in Kano.
Sani Sani, KEDCO, Head Corporate Communications, made this known in a statement obtained by Advisors Reports on Wednesday.
According to him, network expansion and power generation are some of the Company’s major plans to improve power supply in an accelerated fashion, especially in areas such as Dawanau International Grains Market, being the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, with numerous cottage industries.
Sani further emphasised that KEDCO is prioritising the Dawanau project amongst a string of similar projects due to its current dilapidated network leaving the area underserved, thus hindering the potential of the market as a catalyst for economic growth of Kano state and the northern part of Nigeria.
Abubakar Yusuf, Company’s Ag. Managing Director and CEO said, “We have engaged 3 reputable companies to actualise construction of 35KM of 33kV high tension (HT) line from Bichi Transmission Sub-station to Dawanau market, installation of 2Nos 500KVA 33/.415 transformers, and low tension (LT) lines to serve the area and environs at the cost of ₦1.2bn.
He added that “the project is aimed at improving quality and efficiency of power supply to industrial and commercial clusters in the grain market, which is equally in line with our vision to enable re-industrialization and economic empowerment within our franchise states.”
Engr. Inuwa Daneji, KEDCO ‘s Chief Technical Officer said, “Upon completion of the project, we forecast an increase in energy offtake by 200% and an equivalent growth in revenue for KEDCO.”
While these initiatives is expected to further strengthen the existing relationship among stakeholders and explore other business opportunities within the same space and beyond, KEDCO expressed determination to remain unrelenting in the same trend across the franchise area.
Advisors Reports gathered in November 2023, Future Energies Africa, the new core investor in KEDCO, initiated network rehabilitation and expansion.
The new core investor has since then embarked on network rehabilitation and expansion aimed at improving access to quality and reliable power supply for the socio-economic growth of KEDCO’s tri-state of operation.