The Federal Government on Friday inaugurated the construction of a new 2×60MVA, 132/33kV transmission substation in Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State as part of efforts to strengthen electricity infrastructure and improve power supply in the state.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held in Garo town, Mashi, was performed by the Minister of Power, Engr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, alongside Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
The project, being executed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), will provide a combined transformer capacity of 120MVA, equivalent to about 96MW, to improve bulk electricity supply to Mashi and surrounding communities.
Speaking at the event, Tegbe described the project as a significant Federal Government investment aimed at improving electricity access, supporting businesses and strengthening the transmission network in the North-West.
He said the substation would help address power shortages and outages in Mashi and neighbouring areas while supporting economic activities, including farming, trading and industrial operations.
The minister urged TCN, contractors and supervising engineers to ensure quality delivery of the project and called on residents to protect the facility from vandalism and support construction activities.
According to him, issues relating to wayleave and compensation for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) have been resolved, with compensation fully paid before the commencement of construction.
The contract for the project was signed on 24 March 2023 with a duration of 24 months. While the original completion date was August 2025, it has been revised to 31 March 2027.
Earlier, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the Mashi substation would address years of poor electricity supply and low voltage that had affected households, businesses and agricultural activities in the area.
He noted that the project includes the construction of the substation, installation of protection and control systems as well as supporting civil infrastructure to improve power delivery through Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
Governor Radda commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the project, describing it as a major investment that would boost economic activities in Mashi and neighbouring communities.
The governor also expressed appreciation to the Minister of Power for the collaboration between the Federal Government and the Katsina State Government on a proposed 10MW hybrid renewable energy project, disclosing that major components for the initiative had already arrived in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Minister commissioned two newly installed 60MVA, 132/33kV power transformers at the Kankia Transmission Substation.
The upgrade increased the substation’s installed capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, equivalent to approximately 120MW, enabling it to meet rising electricity demand and improve bulk power supply to consumers within the KEDCO franchise area.
The project, funded by the World Bank and executed by TCN and the Federal Ministry of Power, was completed in June 2026.
As part of the visit, Tegbe also inspected the ongoing 2×100MVA, 132/33kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) transmission substation project in Katsina. Upon completion, the facility will provide a combined transformation capacity of 200MVA and further enhance the reliability of electricity supply across Katsina State and adjoining communities.
