Grimaldi carries 197-ton transformer for Nigeria grid expansion project

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 8, Grimaldi Group completed the shipping arrangement for a 197-ton power transformer from Taicang Port, China to Lagos, Nigeria. The equipment was transported aboard the G5-class ro-ro vessel Great Casablanca, with cargo scheduled for discharge at Grimaldi's Lagos Ports and Terminal Multiservices (PTML) terminal. The shipment was organized by FRACHT France for Siemens Energy SAS Grenoble, with the equipment destined for Nigeria's Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) grid expansion project.

The transformer measures 13.44 meters in length, 3.81 meters in width, and 4.17 meters in height, with a single-unit weight of 197 tons. In addition to the main transformer, each set of equipment is accompanied by 7 containers for transport, with related auxiliary components and the main equipment arriving in Nigeria on the same voyage. The current booking plan covers 4 transformers of the same type, scheduled for phased shipment between August and October across multiple voyages, with one main transformer arranged per voyage.

The Great Casablanca belongs to Grimaldi's G5-class fleet and operates on the Deepsea East Asia—West Africa route, capable of carrying ro-ro equipment, containers, and oversized heavy cargo simultaneously. After the 197-ton transformer was loaded in China, it was shipped across the ocean route to West Africa. Upon arrival in Lagos, discharge and subsequent overland transport will be completed through the PTML terminal.

This shipment serves Nigeria's Presidential Power Initiative, a program that continues to advance the expansion of transmission and substation facilities. In recent months, the Federal Government of Nigeria has commissioned multiple transmission infrastructure projects, including a new 2×60MVA, 132/33kV GIS substation in Apapa, Lagos, as well as two additional 100MVA, 132/33kV power transformers at the Ijora substation.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has previously stated that the static simulation capacity of the national transmission network has exceeded 8,700MW, capable of providing over 8,500MVA of transformation capacity to distribution companies, with new transmission and transformation capacity continuing to be added over the past six months. These large transformers imported in batches represent one of the key equipment consignments in the country's continued expansion of grid main equipment.