Power Minister Commissions Major Transformer Projects in Four Lagos Substations, Adds 840MVA Capacity

The Honourable Minister of Power, Engr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has commissioned major transformer projects across four transmission substations in Lagos State, adding a combined 840MVA of new transformer capacity to the transmission network and strengthening bulk power delivery to industries, businesses and households across the state.

The projects, commissioned on Monday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 18, 2026, comprise two 60MVA, 132/33kV transformers at Apapa; two 100MVA, 132/33kV transformers at Ijora; one 100MVA, 132/33kV transformer at Alausa; and one 300MVA, 330/132/33kV transformer and two 60MVA, 132/33kV transformers at Lekki Transmission Substation.

The interventions are part of the Federal Government’s broader effort, through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to eliminate transmission constraints, strengthen grid reliability and direct electricity infrastructure towards areas with significant industrial, commercial and economic potential.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremonies, the Honourable Minister said the projects represented more than the installation of new equipment, describing them as targeted investments in the capacity required for businesses to grow, industries to produce and communities to prosper.

«“They represent targeted investments in capacity for businesses to grow, capacity for industries to produce, and capacity for communities to prosper,” he said.»

LEKKI: TRANSMISSION CAPACITY DOUBLED

At the Lekki Transmission Substation, the Minister commissioned one 300MVA, 330/132/33kV transformer and two 60MVA, 132/33kV transformers, alongside nine new 33kV feeders to improve bulk power delivery into the network of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

The intervention has effectively doubled the substation’s transformation capacity at the 330/132kV level, increasing it from 300MVA to 600MVA, equivalent to approximately 480MW. At the 132/33kV level, capacity has increased from 120MVA to 240MVA, equivalent to approximately 192MW.

The Minister described the project as a critical intervention for one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing economic corridors.

«“Lekki represents the Nigeria we are building towards, a more industrial, more commercially active, more connected to global markets and increasingly attractive to domestic and international capital. As investment flows into a corridor such as this, electricity infrastructure cannot be an afterthought,” he said.»

He added that the additional capacity 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.

The Minister stressed that the nine new 33kV feeders were particularly important because they would ensure that the increased transformation capacity could be properly evacuated, preventing the new investment from becoming stranded capacity.

ALAUSA: 100MVA TRANSFORMER STRENGTHENS IKEJA AXIS

At the Alausa Transmission Substation, a new 100MVA, 132/33kV transformer was also commissioned on Tuesday, August 18.

The project increased the total transformation capacity of the substation from 135MVA to 205MVA, equivalent to approximately 164MW. It also increased the quantum of bulk power available to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) by approximately 80MW for onward delivery to consumers within its franchise area.

Describing the intervention as a deliberate strengthening of a strategic economic location, the Minister said:

«“Ikeja is where the ambition of Nigeria meets the industrious nature of Nigerians.”»

He explained that the projects in Lekki and Alausa reflected the Federal Government’s approach of directing electricity infrastructure towards locations where additional power capacity can unlock production, investment, employment and economic value.

APAPA: NEW GIS SUBSTATION BOOSTS BULK POWER AVAILABILITY

Earlier, on Monday, August 17, the Minister commissioned a new 2x60MVA Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) at the Apapa Transmission Substation.

The 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 power transformers, a new control building, modern protection and control systems, Substation Automation Systems and SCADA infrastructure.

The facility is expected to improve the efficient operation and monitoring of the transmission asset while increasing bulk power availability in the axis by approximately 96MW.

The additional capacity will strengthen electricity supply to Apapa Causeway, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Apapa Wharf, Tin Can Island and other major commercial and industrial areas within the EKEDC franchise area.

IJORA: TRANSFORMATION CAPACITY RISES FROM 90MVA TO 230MVA

Also commissioned on Monday was the upgrade of the Ijora Transmission Substation, where two existing 30MVA transformers were replaced with two modern 100MVA, 132/33kV transformers.

The upgrade increased the total installed transformation capacity of the substation from 90MVA to 230MVA, equivalent to approximately 184MW, providing an additional 112MW of transmission capacity.

The Minister said the increased capacity would significantly improve power supply to Ijora, Costain, Oyingbo, Customs and adjoining communities, while supporting commercial activities and electricity consumers within the EKEDC franchise area.

According to Engr. Tegbe, the commissioning of the projects is another step towards building a power sector capable of supporting industrial competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.

«“The Federal Government’s ambition is larger than the projects commissioned today. We are building towards a Nigeria where electricity is not merely a social service, but the foundation for industrial competitiveness and economic growth, and where investment decisions are driven by opportunity rather than infrastructure constraints.”»

He noted that transmission challenges could not be eliminated through a single intervention, stressing that the government’s approach would be to identify bottlenecks, invest in critical infrastructure, remove constraints and unlock available generation capacity.

TCN REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO TRANSMISSION EXPANSION

Speaking at the commissioning ceremonies, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects would significantly improve power transmission and bulk power availability across Lagos State.

At the Apapa Road 132/33kV Transmission Substation, Abdulaziz said the two new 60MVA GIS transformers would increase the quantum of bulk power available to EKEDC for onward distribution to customers and businesses across major industrial and commercial locations.

He added that the intervention would improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply while supporting economic activities in one of Lagos’ major industrial corridors.

At Alausa, the TCN Managing Director said the 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 areas through IKEDC.

He explained that 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 to consumers.

Abdulaziz said the four transmission substation projects demonstrated TCN’s commitment to modernising Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure, reducing technical losses and developing a network capable of meeting the country’s growing demand for bulk electricity.

He appealed for additional grant support for other critical sections of the transmission network, noting that such interventions would enable TCN to sustain and optimise transmission operations nationwide.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Power, the Lagos State Government, JICA, the World Bank, contractors, TCN engineers and other stakeholders for their support in delivering the projects.

The TCN Managing Director said the projects aligned with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Federal Government’s efforts to achieve a more stable and reliable electricity supply.

The commissioning of the projects marks a significant step in strengthening Lagos State’s transmission infrastructure and expanding the capacity available to Eko and Ikeja Distribution Companies to offtake bulk electricity for industries, businesses and households.

TCN has also completed similar transmission projects in other parts of the country, which will be commissioned in due course, as the company continues its systematic expansion, rehabilitation and modernisation of the national transmission network to meet Nigeria’s growing electricity demand.