By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Minister of Power, Engr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has commissioned major transformer projects across four transmission substations in Lagos State, adding substantial capacity to the national transmission network and improving bulk electricity supply to businesses, industries and households.
The projects, commissioned on August 17 and 18, 2026, comprise a 2x60MVA Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation at Apapa, two 100MVA transformers at Ijora, a 100MVA transformer at Alausa and a 300MVA transformer alongside two 60MVA transformers at Lekki.
According to the Ministry of Power, the projects collectively represent 840MVA of new transformer capacity now in service, providing increased bulk power availability to the Eko and Ikeja electricity distribution networks.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremonies, Tegbe said the projects represented more than the installation of new equipment, describing them as targeted investments designed to create capacity for businesses to grow, industries to produce and communities to prosper.
At the Lekki Transmission Substation, the Minister said the upgrade had effectively doubled the substation’s 330/132kV transformer capacity from 300MVA to 600MVA, equivalent to approximately 480MW.
Capacity at the 132/33kV level also increased from 120MVA to 240MVA, equivalent to about 192MW.
The Lekki project further delivered nine new 33kV feeders to improve bulk power evacuation into the network of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).
Tegbe said the additional infrastructure would improve the reliability and availability of bulk electricity supplied to EKEDC for onward distribution to industries, businesses and households across Lekki and its environs.
He described Lekki as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing economic corridors, stressing that electricity infrastructure must keep pace with increasing industrial and commercial investments in the area.
At the Alausa Transmission Substation, the newly commissioned 100MVA, 132/33kV transformer increased the substation’s total transformation capacity from 135MVA to 205MVA, equivalent to approximately 164MW.
The intervention also increased the quantum of bulk power available to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) by about 80MW for onward delivery to consumers within its franchise area.
Tegbe said the Lekki and Alausa projects reflected the Federal Government’s policy of directing electricity infrastructure to areas where improved power supply could unlock production, investment, employment and economic value.
He said the government would continue to identify transmission bottlenecks, strengthen constrained sections of the network, expand substations and rehabilitate or replace ageing equipment.
At Apapa, the Minister commissioned a 2x60MVA GIS substation delivered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under its Official Development Assistance programme.
The facility comprises modern Gas Insulated Switchgear, two 60MVA, 132/33kV transformers, a new control building, modern protection and control systems, Substation Automation Systems and SCADA infrastructure.
The project has increased bulk power availability within the Apapa axis by approximately 96MW.
The Minister also commissioned two new 100MVA, 132/33kV transformers at the Ijora Transmission Substation, replacing two existing 30MVA transformers.
The upgrade increased the substation’s installed capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA, equivalent to approximately 184MW, while providing an additional 112MW of transmission capacity.
Tegbe said the improvement would enhance electricity supply to Ijora, Costain, Oyingbo, Customs and adjoining communities, while supporting commercial activities and consumers within the EKEDC franchise area.
Speaking at the commissioning events, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects would significantly improve power transmission and bulk electricity supply across Lagos.
At the Apapa Road Transmission Substation, Abdulaziz said the new GIS facility would increase the volume of bulk power available to EKEDC for onward distribution to Apapa Causeway, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Apapa Wharf, Tin Can Island and other commercial areas.
He said the project would also improve electricity supply quality and support economic activities within one of Lagos’ major industrial corridors.
At Alausa, the TCN chief executive said the upgrade, executed by Shanghai Electric Ltd under a World Bank-funded initiative that commenced in January 2021, would provide more stable and reliable electricity to about 70,000 residents in Alausa and adjoining areas through IKEDC.
According to him, the project would also increase the volume of bulk power TCN could wheel to distribution load centres, thereby strengthening grid stability and improving electricity delivery.
Abdulaziz said the four substation projects demonstrated TCN’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure, reducing technical losses and developing a network capable of meeting the country’s growing electricity demand.
He appealed for additional grant support for other critical sections of the transmission network to enable TCN sustain and optimize transmission operations nationwide.
The TCN managing director commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Power Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, the Lagos State Government, JICA, the World Bank, contractors, TCN engineers and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful delivery of the projects.
He said the interventions aligned with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and efforts to achieve a more stable and reliable electricity supply.
TCN said similar transmission projects had been completed in other parts of the country and would be commissioned in due course as part of ongoing efforts to expand and modernize Nigeria’s national transmission network.
