TCN upgrades four Lagos substations to improve power supply

Nigeria's power infrastructure received a significant boost with the upgrade of four key transmission substations in Lagos. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) completed upgrades at the Apapa Road, Ijora, Lekki, and Alausa substations, aiming to strengthen electricity supply across the state.

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For many years, transmission infrastructure has been one of the major constraints in our efforts to provide reliable electricity. We have generated electricity that cannot be adequately evacuated. We have had available generation constrained by transmission limitations, even though growing demand would have required corresponding improvement in transmission capacity.

The Apapa Road substation saw its capacity triple from 60MVA to 180MVA with the addition of two new 60MVA power transformers and modern gas-insulated switchgear. This expansion will allow for a greater volume of power to be delivered to the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, benefiting critical commercial zones like Apapa Causeway and Tin Can Island.

At the Ijora substation, two older 30MVA transformers were replaced with two modern 100MVA units, increasing its capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA. TCN Managing Director Sule Abdulaziz highlighted that this upgrade provides a more robust system capable of handling future load growth and enhancing reliability for a vital commercial and industrial hub.

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This is not a criticism of the men and women who have worked within the system under difficult circumstances in the past. Rather, it is an acknowledgement of structural problems that we inherited and that we are solving now very decisively.

Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe emphasized that these upgrades address decades-old limitations in the transmission network, which previously hindered the effective evacuation of generated electricity. He noted that the current administration is tackling structural issues inherited from previous administrations, stating, "We are solving now very decisively."

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This upgrade delivers a more robust transmission substation capable of delivering increased bulk power to Eko Electricity Distribution Company’s load centres. It provides capacity to accommodate future load growth, reduce network constraints, enhance operational flexibility, and improve the reliability of supply to an area that is vital to the commercial and industrial life of Lagos State.