The Federal Government has commissioned a new 1x100MVA, 132/33kV power transformer at the Alausa Transmission Substation in Lagos, raising the facility’s total installed capacity from 135MVA to 205MVA.
The commissioning, which took place on Tuesday, formed part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity transmission infrastructure and address capacity constraints across the power sector.
Minister of Power, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, who commissioned the transformer on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described the project as a strategic investment in one of Lagos State’s most important administrative, commercial and economic corridors.
According to him, the Alausa axis hosts a dense concentration of government institutions, commercial establishments, businesses, residential communities and other economic activities that depend heavily on reliable electricity.
The newly installed transformer replaces the existing 30MVA, 132/33kV transformer at the substation.
Tegbe said the intervention had increased the substation’s total capacity from 135MVA to 205MVA, equivalent to approximately 164MW, while increasing the quantum of bulk power available to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) by 80MW for onward distribution to consumers within its franchise area.
He said the additional capacity would have a multiplier effect on businesses, industries, hospitals, schools, offices, markets, technology companies, artisans and households dependent on electricity.
“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 said the Federal Government had adopted a deliberate approach of identifying transmission bottlenecks, investing in critical infrastructure, removing constraints and unlocking available capacity.
He said the administration would continue to strengthen transmission infrastructure where it constrained available electricity, expand substations requiring additional capacity and rehabilitate or replace ageing equipment threatening system reliability.
The minister commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for executing the capacity upgrade and recognised the contribution of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to the coordinated, secure and efficient operation of the electricity system.
He also acknowledged IKEDC for its responsibility to translate the additional bulk power capacity into improved electricity services for consumers, while commending Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited for executing the project.
In his welcome address, TCN Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the project was a reflection of the Federal Government’s and TCN’s commitment to strengthening and expanding Nigeria’s transmission network.
Abdulaziz disclosed that the project was executed by Shanghai Electric Limited under a World Bank-funded initiative which commenced in January 2021.
He said replacing the existing 30MVA transformer with the 100MVA unit had increased the substation’s capacity by 70MVA and would enable it to serve its growing load demand more effectively.
According to him, upon energisation, the upgraded facility would deliver more stable and reliable electricity to at least 70,000 residents across Alausa and its environs through IKEDC.
The TCN boss added that the project would not only benefit the immediate community but also increase the quantum of bulk power TCN could wheel to distribution load centres nationwide.
He said the upgrade would reinforce grid stability and ensure that more bulk power reached distribution companies for onward delivery to electricity consumers.
Abdulaziz expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Minister of Power, the World Bank, Lagos State Government, contractors, engineers and other stakeholders for their support towards the completion of the project.
The Minister also commended the Lagos State Government and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for what he described as their unwavering commitment to development and constructive partnership in creating an enabling environment for transformative investments.
Tegbe assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration remained committed to transforming the electricity sector and would continue to support investments across the electricity value chain, particularly critical transmission infrastructure.
He said the commissioning of the Alausa transformer represented another step in the broader effort to reinforce transmission corridors, rehabilitate substations and expand electricity capacity in areas experiencing growing demand.
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