Power Minister Commission Alausa 100MVA Transformer to Boosts Lagos Power Transmission Capacity

Power Minister Commission Alausa 100MVA Transformer to Boosts Lagos Power Transmission Capacity

…as TCN Boss Says Upgrade to Serve at Least 70,000 Residents

By Raphael Ekpang

Lagos (Core Reporters) Nigeria Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, on Tuesday, August 18, commissioned a new 1×100MVA, 132/33kV power transformer at the Alausa Transmission Substation in Lagos State, in a major intervention aimed at strengthening electricity supply and expanding transmission capacity in one of Nigeria’s key economic corridors.

Tegbe, while commissioning the facility on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the project represents a strategic investment in Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure and a deliberate effort to remove bottlenecks constraining electricity supply to businesses, industries, public institutions and residential communities.

According to him, the new transformer replaces the substation’s existing 30MVA transformer, increasing the total installed capacity of the Alausa Transmission Substation from 135MVA to 205MVA.

The upgrade, he said, translates to approximately 164MW of capacity, compared with the previous 108MW, while increasing the quantum of bulk power available to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) by about 80MW for onward delivery to consumers within its franchise area.

“Behind these numbers are businesses, industries, hospitals, schools, offices, markets, technology companies, malls, artisans and people whose livelihoods depend upon electricity,” the minister said.

Tegbe described Alausa as one of the most economically and administratively important areas of Lagos State, noting that the axis accommodates a dense concentration of government institutions, commercial establishments, businesses, residential communities and other economic activities.

He said the intervention was part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to identify transmission bottlenecks, invest in critical infrastructure and unlock additional electricity capacity across the country.

“Our approach is therefore deliberate: identify the bottleneck, invest in it, remove the constraint, and unlock the capacity,” Tegbe said.

He explained that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen transmission corridors, expand substations, replace ageing equipment and prioritise electricity infrastructure in industrial and commercial centres with significant demand.

The minister commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for executing the capacity upgrade and acknowledged the role of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in ensuring coordinated and secure operation of the electricity system.

He also commended IKEDC for its responsibility to translate the additional bulk power available at the strengthened transmission node into improved electricity service for consumers.

Tegbe praised Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited, which executed the project, as well as the World Bank and other technical and development partners for their contributions.

He also commended the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for providing an enabling environment for critical infrastructure investments.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, has stated that the newly installed transformer demonstrates the commitment of the Federal Government and TCN to strengthening and expanding Nigeria’s transmission network.

Abdulaziz said the transformer replaces the existing 1×30MVA, 132/33kV transformer, raising the total capacity of the substation from 135MVA to 205MVA.

He disclosed that the project was executed by Shanghai Electric Ltd under a World Bank-funded initiative which commenced in January 2021.

According to him, the project, despite challenges encountered during implementation, demonstrates TCN’s determination to deliver critical transmission infrastructure.

“Upon energisation, it will deliver more stable and reliable power to at least 70,000 residents across Alausa and its environs, through the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company,” he said.

The TCN boss noted that the benefits of the project extend beyond Alausa, as the additional capacity would increase the quantum of bulk power that can be wheeled to distribution load centres.

He said the project would contribute to improved grid stability and enable more bulk electricity to reach distribution companies for onward delivery to consumers within their respective franchise areas.

Abdulaziz described the project as a clear demonstration of TCN’s commitment to building and sustaining a robust transmission network capable of transporting Nigeria’s growing electricity needs to distribution load centres nationwide.

He said the achievement aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commended the Minister of Power for his leadership and guidance in driving systematic progress in the sector.

The TCN managing director expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Minister of Power, the World Bank, Lagos State Government, contractors, engineers and other stakeholders whose support contributed to the completion of the project.

The commissioning of the Alausa transformer comes amid a series of transmission infrastructure investments being undertaken across the country to increase capacity, improve reliability and address critical constraints within Nigeria’s electricity value chain.

At the commissioning ceremony, the Federal Government reiterated its commitment to sustained investment in transmission infrastructure as part of efforts to ensure that available generation capacity can be efficiently evacuated and delivered to distribution networks and ultimately to electricity consumers.