In line with the resolve of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address structural problems that have long constrained the power sector, the Federal Government on Monday commissioned two upgraded transmission substations in Lagos, providing an additional 208 megawatts of bulk transmission capacity to one of the country’s most economically active corridors.
At Ijora, two new 100MVA transformers increased the substation’s capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA, adding 112MW. At Apapa Road, a new Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) added 96MW, replacing an outdoor transformer that had served as a stopgap since the original facility, commissioned in 1985, was decommissioned.
Speaking at the commissioning, Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the upgrades were part of the administration’s response to years of transmission constraints and infrastructure decay. He described President Tinubu as showing ‘fearless commitment to addressing the structural constraints that have held our economy back,’ linking the upgrade to the administration’s stated goal of building a one trillion-dollar economy.
Tegbe commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for supporting the projects and said the ministry would continue to reinforce transmission infrastructure nationwide to close the gap between available generation and the capacity to deliver it, a gap officials say has repeatedly resulted in power being stranded because the grid could not evacuate it.
The Managing Director/CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engineer Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the installation and energisation of two new 60MVA transformers and modern Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) had tripled the substation’s capacity from 60MVA to 180MVA, while the Ijora facility now has a capacity of 230MVA.
He said the upgrade would increase the bulk power available to Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) for onward supply to Apapa Causeway, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Apapa Wharf, Tin Can Island and other critical commercial areas.
Abdulaziz described the projects, sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Bank respectively, in partnership with TCN, as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising the transmission network and stabilising the national grid.
He commended the Ministry of Power, JICA, the Government of Japan, the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders for their support, while appealing for similar grant assistance for other critical sections of the transmission network.
The ceremonies drew senior officials, including Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hideo Suzuki, who was represented by his deputy; JICA Nigeria’s Chief Representative, Ishigame Keiji; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power; the CEO of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO); directors and ministerial aides from the Federal Ministry of Power; a representative of the Lagos State Government; as well as representatives of the Eko and Ikeja electricity distribution companies.