By Our Correspondent
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, on Friday commissioned four transmission substations in Kano State, adding 544MW of wheeling capacity to Kano and the national grid, while flagging off the construction of a 120MVA transmission substation in Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Kano, Tegbe said the facilities at Walalambe, Kumbotso, Dakata and Dan-Agundi would strengthen electricity transmission, ease pressure on existing infrastructure and improve power delivery to businesses and households.
He said Walalambe had received a new 80MW substation equipped with two 40MVA transformers, while Kumbotso gained a 330kV facility with a stated capacity of 300MVA, alongside 100MVA transformers. Dakata and Dan-Agundi each received an additional 100MVA transformer at 132kV.
According to the minister, the projects were designed to deliver tangible benefits to residents by supporting businesses, improving productivity, and enhancing livelihoods.
He explained that the additional capacity would relieve overloaded substations and enable the network to accommodate more demand.
Tegbe said six outgoing feeders at Walalambe would supply the Tokarawa Industrial Area, Eastern Bypass, Maiduguri Road, Hadejia Road and neighbouring communities.
He added that Lee Group had returned to the electricity grid after more than 30 years off-grid, while the fire-damaged Dan-Agundi substation had resumed service to Kano’s ancient town, the Emir’s Palace and surrounding communities.
The minister said the improvements would benefit manufacturers, small businesses, workers and households through increased production, job creation and better living conditions.
The Minister said the projects aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to translate infrastructure investments into economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has commenced construction of a 132/33kV electricity transmission substation in Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State to improve electricity transmission and support economic activities.
The project, is being executed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), is scheduled for completion in March 2027.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Mashi, Tegbe said the facility would strengthen the transmission network and improve the delivery of available electricity to Katsina and neighbouring communities.
He explained that the substation would feature two 60MVA transformers, providing a combined capacity of 120MVA, equivalent to approximately 96MW at a power factor of 0.8.
According to him, the project would strengthen electricity infrastructure to support farmers, traders, artisans, businesses and households.
“With completion scheduled for March 2027, our focus must be disciplined execution,” the minister said.
He urged TCN, the contractor and supervising engineers to maintain high standards throughout the project, from design and equipment manufacturing to civil works, installation and testing.
Tegbe also called on residents to protect the facility against vandalism and report suspicious activities during construction and after its completion.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for approving three transmission substation projects for the state, describing them as significant investments in economic development and electricity supply.
Radda said the projects demonstrated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities in the state.
The governor added that his administration would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government on projects aimed at improving economic opportunities and public welfare.
Radda also disclosed that components for a proposed 10MW hybrid power project combining wind and solar energy had arrived in Nigeria.
He said the initiative, being undertaken in collaboration between the Federal and Katsina State governments, was intended to strengthen electricity generation in the area.
The governor expressed hope that Tegbe would return to the state to commission the hybrid power project alongside the completed transmission substations.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by officials of the Federal Ministry of Power, TCN, Kano Electricity Distribution Company, the Katsina State Government, traditional rulers, local government officials and other stakeholders.
(GSF)
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