‘TCN Implementing Donor-Funded Projects To Enhance Grid Efficiency, Stability’
By Sunday Etuka
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), under the able leadership of Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, is implementing several donor-funded projects aimed at enhancing grid efficiency and stability.
This was disclosed by the TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, on Wednesday when she received the leadership of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN) led by its Chairman, Mr Obas Esiedesa at the TCN Headquarters, Abuja.
TCN donor partners, including Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), African Development Bank (AFDB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the World Bank, are supporting projects worth $1.16 billion in the nation’s power sector.
Mrs Mbah said while some of the projects have been completed, others are at procurement stage. Noting that with the support, TCN is constructing five new substations -two 330kV and three 132kV, along with a new 330kV transmission line to supply additional bulk power through Lafia under the Abuja Feeding Scheme.
These projects, according to her, would strengthen transmission capacity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
She also mentioned the Ogun–Lagos Transmission Project, which would deliver six new substations, disclosing that the associated 330kV and 132kV lines along the Lagos–Ogun industrial corridor, would commence once compensation processes are concluded.
The GM said with numerous ongoing projects across all TCN regions, the company remains committed to establishing a robust transmission network capable of efficiently wheeling any level of power generation to distribution load centers nationwide.
These projects explained are all part of its Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP).
Speaking on transformer projects, she said between January 2024 and November 2025, TCN commissioned eighty-two power transformers across its transmission substations nationwide, adding a total capacity of 8,500.50 MVA to the national grid.
Mbah said the company has completed the construction of the Kaduna–Jos 330kV double circuit transmission line, the Oke-Eletu 132/33kV line, a one-cycle transposition of the existing 330kV Makurdi–Aliade–Ugwuaji double circuit line, and the reconstruction of the Ikorodu–Shagamu 132kV line from a 150mm² single circuit to a 250mm² double circuit.
“Several old transmission lines have also been re-conductored, including the Delta–Effurun 132kV line, the Sokoto–Birnin Kebbi line (increased from 70MW to 150MW), and the Ikeja West–Alimosho–Ogba–Alausa lines (increased from 120MW to 240MW). Others include the Ayede–Eleyele–Jericho and Osogbo–Ede/Iwo 132kV double circuit lines.
“Contract has been awarded for re-conductoring of twenty-one transmission lines to further boost bulk power evacuation and transmission capacity. These include two 330kV lines — the 330kV Onitsha–New Haven line (107km), as well as nineteen 132kV lines, such as the Itu–Calabar 132kV SC line, Kumbotso–Dan Agundi line, Ogba–Alausa line, Ayede–Jericho line, and the re-conductoring of 38.6km and 20.3km Afam IPP–Port Harcourt lines. The 104km Shiroro–Mando 330kV SC lines is also being upgraded to a 330kV DC Quad Conductor line,” she added.
She highlighted other notable accomplishments to include, “restocking of the central store with several brand-new power transformers, spare parts, and critical equipment, which are being deployed to project sites for maintenance, new projects, and the upgrading of existing transmission lines and substations. This has helped to reduce downtime.
“Deployment of the Generation Dip/Loss Detection System (GLDS) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to improve visibility, real-time monitoring, and analysis of grid performance.
“Regular inspections, preventive maintenance, and prompt repairs, including the installation of reactors in some transmission substations to minimize voltage surges.
“Launch of the Grievance Mechanism booklet to address issues delaying the completion of TCN’s projects nationwide.”
Mbah revealed that for the first time in the history of the company, fifteen 300MVA power transformers were installed in the transmission network in Akangba, Lekki, Alagbon, Ikeja West, Osogbo, Ganmo, Jos, Gombe, Kumbotso, Asaba, Oke-Aro, Benin, Alaoji, Katampe, and Osogbo Transmission Substations within the last half of 2025.
She disclosed that before these installations, the highest capacity transformer in the grid was 150MVA capacity. Adding that plans are ongoing to install more 300MVA power transformers in the grid to further boost the transmission system.
