The Federal Government has commissioned major transmission infrastructure projects in Kano State that will add about 544 megawatts of electricity capacity to the grid and improve power supply to industrial, commercial and residential consumers.
The projects, commissioned on Thursday by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, include a new 2×40MVA, 132/33kV transmission installation at Walalambe, transformer upgrades at Kumbotso, an additional 100MVA transformer at Dakata and the restoration of capacity at the Dan-Agundi transmission substation.
Tegbe said the projects were implemented through a partnership involving the Federal Government, Kano State Government and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to strengthen network reliability and meet growing electricity demand.
At Walalambe, the installation of two 40MVA transformers provides a combined capacity of 80MVA, equivalent to about 64MW. The facility will improve electricity supply to the Tokarawa Industrial Area, the Eastern Bypass, Maiduguri Road, Hadejia Road and adjoining communities.
The minister said the project also includes a dedicated 33kV feeder to Lee Group of Companies, enabling the firm to access power from the national grid after operating off-grid for more than three decades.
At Kumbotso, TCN replaced an existing 150MVA transformer with a 300MVA, 330/132/33kV transformer and upgraded a 40MVA transformer to 100MVA. The intervention increased upstream transformation capacity from 600MVA to 750MVA and downstream capacity from 220MVA to 280MVA.
Tegbe said the upgraded substation would help meet rising electricity demand across Kano metropolis and neighbouring communities while potentially benefiting about 220,000 households.
Speaking at the commissioning, TCN Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said an additional 100MVA, 132/33kV transformer installed at Dakata increased the substation’s capacity from 150MVA to 250MVA, representing a 66.7 per cent increase.
He said the upgrade would strengthen power supply to the Dakata Industrial Complex and surrounding areas while enhancing operational efficiency through the installation of modern digital control and protection systems.
At Dan-Agundi, Abdulaziz said the installation of a new 100MVA transformer restored capacity lost after a fire damaged two of the substation’s three transformers.
Available transformation capacity increased from 60MVA to 160MVA, improving electricity supply to Kano’s ancient city, the Emir’s Palace and neighbouring communities.
Both the Dakata and Dan-Agundi projects were funded by the World Bank and executed by China Energy Engineering Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure.
Tegbe said the investments would provide more reliable electricity to businesses and households, support economic growth and create opportunities for job creation. He also urged residents to protect power facilities from vandalism to ensure sustained service delivery.
The minister commended the World Bank, TCN, the Nigerian Independent System Operator, Kano Electricity Distribution Company and contractors involved in delivering the projects, describing the developments as a key step towards supporting Kano’s growing industrial and commercial activities.
