The Federal Government has commissioned upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure across four substations in Kano State, with projects aimed at increasing power supply capacity, restoring facilities damaged by fire and improving electricity delivery to homes, businesses and industries.
The projects at Walalambe, Kumbotso, Dakata and Dan-Agundi were commissioned on Thursday by the Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Tegbe, in collaboration with the Kano State Government and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The interventions include new and upgraded transformers, modern digital control and protection systems, and additional transmission infrastructure designed to accommodate rising electricity demand across Kano metropolis and adjoining communities.
Speaking at the ceremonies, Tegbe said the projects would ease pressure on existing transmission facilities, improve network reliability and provide additional capacity to support industrial growth, commercial activities and job creation.
At Walalambe, the installation of two 40 MVA, 132/33 kV transformers provides a combined transformation capacity of 80 MVA, equivalent to approximately 64 megawatts. The facility is expected to improve electricity supply to Tokarawa Industrial Area, the Eastern Bypass, Maiduguri Road, Hadejia Road and surrounding communities.
The substation will also provide alternative supply arrangements for the Mariri, Jogana, Farm Centre and Zaria Road injection substations, improving the flexibility of the distribution network.
One of the project’s key features is a dedicated 33 kV feeder for Lee Group of Companies, an industrial firm that has operated off-grid for more than 30 years. The connection is expected to give the company access to electricity from the national grid and reduce its dependence on self generation.
At Kumbotso, the replacement of an existing 150 MVA transformer with a 300 MVA, 330/132/33 kV unit, alongside the replacement of a 40 MVA transformer with a 100 MVA, 132/33 kV unit, has increased upstream transformation capacity from 600 MVA to 750 MVA and downstream capacity from 220 MVA to 280 MVA.
According to Tegbe, the upgrade represents a 25 per cent increase in upstream capacity and approximately 27.3 per cent growth in downstream capacity. He said the improvements could benefit at least 220,000 households while providing additional electricity capacity for manufacturing, commerce, agricultural processing and small businesses.
At Dakata, the installation of an additional 100 MVA, 132/33 kV transformer increased the substation’s capacity from 150 MVA to 250 MVA, a 66.7 per cent rise. The project is expected to improve electricity supply to the Dakata Industrial Complex and neighbouring areas, with the potential to benefit at least 70,000 households, subject to electricity availability and distribution network capacity.
The Dakata project also involved replacing analogue control and protection panels with digital systems and extending the control room to accommodate the upgraded equipment. The project, funded by the World Bank and executed by China Energy Engineering Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute, was completed in June 2026.
At Dan-Agundi, a new 100 MVA, 132/33 kV transformer has increased available transformation capacity from 60 MVA to 160 MVA following a fire that damaged two of the substation’s three original transformers.
Before the fire, the facility had three 60 MVA transformers, providing a total installed capacity of 180 MVA. The damage reduced available capacity to 60 MVA, constraining supply to Dan-Agundi, the Emir’s Palace, Kano ancient town and surrounding communities.
The upgrade is expected to improve electricity supply to homes, businesses and institutions, with an estimated 80,330 people set to benefit, subject to electricity availability and the capacity of the distribution network. The project also included the installation of digital control and protection systems and was completed in June 2026.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects represented investments in strengthening Kano’s transmission network and improving the delivery of bulk electricity to distribution companies for onward supply to consumers.
He said the additional capacity would improve operational flexibility, support growing electricity demand and strengthen supply to residential, commercial and industrial areas.
Abdulaziz explained that the Walalambe project was conceived to ease the load on the Dakata and Dan-Agundi substations and address rising demand. He added that the projects at Dakata and Dan-Agundi would improve equipment monitoring, fault detection, protection and operational control through modern digital systems.
The minister urged host communities to protect electricity infrastructure against vandalism, warning that damage to transmission facilities could disrupt businesses, cause lost working hours and affect household activities.
“Public infrastructure serves all of us, and its protection requires the vigilance of all of us,” he said.
Tegbe commended TCN, the Nigerian Independent System Operator, Kano Electricity Distribution Company and the project contractors for their contributions. He also acknowledged the World Bank’s financing of the Walalambe and Kumbotso projects and recognised Atlantic Engineering and Construction Company Limited and China Energy Engineering Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute for their respective roles.
He further commended Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for cooperating with the Federal Government to facilitate infrastructure investments in the state.
The projects form part of efforts to expand and modernise Nigeria’s transmission network. Their impact on electricity supply to end users will, however, depend on available generation, grid operations and the capacity of distribution infrastructure to deliver the additional power to consumers.
