FG commissions upgraded Lagos transmission substations, adds 208MW capacity

By Onu Okorie

Federal Government on Monday commissioned two upgraded transmission substations in Lagos, adding 208 megawatts (MW) of bulk transmission capacity to one of Nigeria’s key economic corridors.
The projects, located at Ijora and Apapa Road, are part of the government’s efforts to address longstanding transmission constraints and infrastructure deficits in the power sector.
At the Ijora transmission substation, two new 100MVA transformers increased the station’s capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA, representing an additional 112MW of transmission capacity.
At Apapa Road, a new Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) added 96MW to the network, replacing an outdoor transformer that had served as a temporary solution after the original facility, commissioned in 1985, was decommissioned.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremonies, Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the projects demonstrated the administration’s commitment to tackling the structural challenges that have constrained Nigeria’s electricity sector over the years.
Tegbe described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approach as a “fearless commitment to addressing the structural constraints that have held our economy back,” linking the investments in power infrastructure to the administration’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
He commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support for the projects, stressing that the Ministry of Power would continue to strengthen transmission infrastructure across the country.
According to the minister, improving the transmission network remains critical to closing the gap between available electricity generation and the capacity of the national grid to evacuate and deliver power to consumers.
Officials have repeatedly identified inadequate transmission infrastructure as a major factor behind stranded generation, with available electricity sometimes unable to reach distribution networks because of limitations on the grid.
At the Apapa transmission facility, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the upgrade had tripled the station’s capacity from 60MVA to 180MVA.
He said the increased capacity would boost bulk electricity available for onward distribution by Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to several major communities and industrial areas, including Apapa Causeway, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Apapa Wharf and Tin Can Island.
Abdulaziz said the development would strengthen electricity supply to the areas while improving the reliability of the transmission network serving Lagos’ major commercial and industrial centres.
The commissioning ceremonies were attended by senior government officials and stakeholders in the power sector.
Among those present were 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 Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO); directors and ministerial aides from the Federal Ministry of Power; representatives of the Lagos State Government; and officials of Eko and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies.
The government said the projects form part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure and improve the ability of the national grid to deliver available generation to electricity consumers.