DEDICATED PHCN LINE FOR NSPM

Power supply in the Mint has had its ups and downs in times past. At the Abuja Factory’s inception in March 2002, power was supplied fully by (3no x2.5 MVA) heavy duty generators operating two at a time and later changed to operating one at a time without any recourse to PHCN, the nation’s power generating and supply out fit, except at weekends when there was no production.

In less than 2 years, the generators were breaking down and became increasingly less efficient. The result was power outage during production hours. This came to an unbearable height in April of 2004 when the Company experienced power outrage for 2 whole weeks. With daily target of 5 Million single notes packed per day, the loss in revenue represented by 2 weeks zero production can only be imagined.

From that experience, the Engineering department with the support of the Management developed a strategy and implemented programmes to avoid the recurrence of such situation.A mechanism that would utilise the available power from PHCN was evolved and the power equipment in the substation was therefore reconfigured to accommodate this. In November 2004, power supply from PHCN was used, for the first time, to power the full load of the Abuja Factory and the generators relegated to standby power generation; a big relief from all perspectives.

Despite this achievement, however, the Company’s power problems were far from being over. The Company was subjected to power outrages whenever PHCN carried out load shedding activities. This is expensive for the Company because it translated to material waste and equipment damage in proportions that could jeopardise the profitability of the business.

Efforts were then made to obtain a fully dedicated line for use in the Abuja factory to ensure reliability and security of power supply.
A turnkey contract was awarded to NEP Plc headquarters for the design, supply, erection, and commissioning of a 33KV/11KV 7.5 MVA x 2 substation equipment. It is gratifying to note that the work is almost completed. Already, one of the 7.5 MVA transformers has been put on load while work on the second unit is at an advanced stage of completion and should be commissioned very soon. Interruptions to power supply are now minimal; a tremendous advantage that is particularly noticeable this period when all other parts of Abuja are experiencing acute power shortage.

It is worthy of note that when production was fully powered by generators, the Company paid PHCN bills. Since there were no meter readings, the bills were estimated by PHCN and it was the Company’s civil responsibility to pay even if it had not consumed so much. Switching to PHCN therefore means the Company consumed the power it is paying for. Diesel consumption has also reduced from 6 trucks per month to less than a truck per month! Although, power consumption is still being estimated by PHCN to bill the Company, after the dedicated line project is complete, meters will be introduced to enable us pay for what we use exactly