FG commissions 840MVA transformer capacity to boost electricity supply in Lagos

By Editor

Federal Government has commissioned a total of 840MVA of new transformer capacity across major transmission substations in Lagos State as part of efforts to ease electricity constraints and strengthen power supply to industries, businesses and households.

The projects, commissioned by the Minister of Power, Engr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, span the Apapa, Ijora, Lekki and Alausa transmission substations and comprise 540MVA of new transformer capacity at the 132kV level, capable of wheeling about 432MW, as well as an additional 300MVA at the 330kV level, capable of transmitting approximately 240MW within the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) network.

At the Lekki Transmission Substation on Tuesday, Tegbe commissioned a 300MVA, 330/132/33kV transformer and two 60MVA, 132/33kV transformers. He also commissioned a 100MVA, 132/33kV transformer at the Alausa Transmission Substation.

The Lekki intervention effectively doubled the capacity of the 330/132/33kV transmission substation. Its transformer capacity at the 330/132kV level increased from 300MVA to 600MVA, equivalent to about 480MW, while capacity at the 132/33kV level rose from 120MVA to 240MVA, equivalent to approximately 192MW.

The project also delivered nine new 33kV feeders to facilitate improved bulk power evacuation into the network of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

Speaking at the commissioning, Tegbe said the projects went beyond the installation of new equipment, describing them as targeted investments aimed at creating additional capacity for businesses, industries and communities.

At Alausa, the newly commissioned 100MVA transformer increased the substation’s total transformation capacity from 135MVA to 205MVA, equivalent to approximately 164MW. The project also raised the quantum of bulk power available to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) by 80MW.

Earlier, the minister commissioned a 2x60MVA Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation at the Apapa Transmission Substation.

The Apapa project was delivered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under its Official Development Assistance programme. It comprises modern gas-insulated switchgear, two 60MVA, 132/33kV transformers, a new control building, modern protection and control systems, substation automation and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) infrastructure.

The facility is expected to increase bulk power availability in the Apapa axis by approximately 96MW, improving electricity supply to Apapa Causeway, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Apapa Wharf, Tin Can Island and other commercial areas within the EKEDC franchise.

At Ijora, two existing 30MVA transformers were replaced with two modern 100MVA, 132/33kV transformers. The intervention increased the substation’s installed capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA, equivalent to approximately 184MW, and added about 112MW in transmission capacity.

Also speaking at the commissioning ceremonies, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects would significantly improve electricity transmission across Lagos State.

Abdulaziz said the Apapa upgrade would increase the volume of bulk electricity available to EKEDC for onward distribution while improving the quality and reliability of electricity supply in one of Lagos’ major industrial corridors.

He added that the Alausa project, executed by Shanghai Electric Ltd under a World Bank-funded initiative that commenced in January 2021, would provide more stable and reliable electricity to at least 70,000 residents in Alausa and adjoining communities through IKEDC.

The Federal Government said the investments were part of broader efforts to expand transmission capacity, improve the reliability of the national grid and support economic activities in one of Nigeria’s most commercially important states.