FG, Kano commission power projects, boost transmission capacity by 25%
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FG, Kano commission power projects, boost transmission capacity by 25%
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Federal Government has commissioned electricity transmission projects across four substations in Kano State, increasing transformation capacity at the Kumbotso substation by 25 per cent and restoring supply capacity at Dan-Agundi following a fire that damaged its facilities.
The projects, commissioned on Thursday by the Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Tegbe, are located at Walalambe, Kumbotso, Dakata and Dan-Agundi substations.
The installations include two 40-megavolt-ampere transformers at Walalambe, a 300MVA transformer at Kumbotso, and additional 100MVA transformers at Dakata and Dan-Agundi.
The projects were executed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power and the Kano State Government, with funding from the World Bank for the interventions at Walalambe, Kumbotso, Dakata and Dan-Agundi.
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Speaking during the commissioning ceremonies, Tegbe said the projects would improve electricity supply to households, businesses and industries, while supporting economic growth and employment generation.
He said the new facilities would ease pressure on existing transmission infrastructure, provide alternative supply routes and strengthen the capacity of the electricity network to meet rising demand.
At Kumbotso, the minister said the installation of a 300MVA, 330/132/33kV transformer and a 100MVA, 132/33kV transformer had increased the substation’s upstream transformation capacity from 600MVA to 750MVA.
He said the development represented a 25 per cent increase, while downstream capacity rose from 220MVA to 280MVA, an increase of approximately 27.3 per cent.
According to him, the intervention would provide additional capacity to meet previously unmet electricity demand and improve operational flexibility across Kano metropolis and neighbouring communities.
Tegbe added that the Kumbotso project had the potential to benefit at least 220,000 households, while providing a more reliable electricity supply base for manufacturing, agricultural processing, commercial activities and small and medium-sized enterprises.
At Walalambe, the minister said the installation of two 40MVA, 132/33kV transformers would improve supply to the Tokarawa Industrial Area, Eastern Bypass, Maiduguri Road, Hadejia Road and adjoining communities.
He explained that the facility would also provide alternative supply arrangements for the Mariri, Jogana, Farm Centre and Zaria Road 33/11kV injection substations.
Tegbe identified the provision of a dedicated 33kV feeder to Lee Group of Companies as one of the project’s major benefits, noting that the industrial firm had operated off-grid for more than 30 years.
He said connecting the company to the national grid demonstrated how investments in transmission infrastructure could support industrial operations, reduce dependence on self-generation and create opportunities for economic expansion.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects represented significant investments in strengthening Kano’s transmission network and improving the delivery of bulk electricity to distribution companies for onward supply to consumers.
Abdulaziz said the Walalambe installation provided a combined transformation capacity of 80MVA, equivalent to approximately 64 megawatts.
He explained that the project, awarded in 2005, was designed to address rising electricity demand and ease pressure on the Dakata and Dan-Agundi substations, which serve major parts of Kano metropolis.
At Dakata, the TCN boss said the installation of an additional 100MVA, 132/33kV transformer had increased the substation’s capacity from 150MVA to 250MVA, representing a 66.7 per cent increase.
He said the project would strengthen electricity supply to the Dakata Industrial Complex and adjoining areas, with the potential to benefit at least 70,000 households, subject to electricity availability and the capacity of the distribution network.
Abdulaziz added that the project included replacing analogue control and protection panels with digital systems and expanding the control room to accommodate the upgraded equipment.
He said the improvements would enhance equipment monitoring, fault detection, protection and operational control, while facilitating more efficient maintenance.
The Dakata project, executed by China Energy Engineering Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute, was awarded in June 2021 and completed in June 2026.
At Dan-Agundi, Abdulaziz said the installation of a new 100MVA transformer had restored and strengthened the substation’s capacity following a fire that damaged two of its three original transformers.
He explained that the substation initially had three 60MVA transformers, providing an installed capacity of 180MVA. However, the fire reduced its available capacity to 60MVA, equivalent to 48MW.
The incident constrained electricity supply to Dan-Agundi, the Emir’s Palace, Kano ancient town and adjoining communities.
According to him, the new transformer increased the substation’s available capacity from 60MVA to 160MVA, equivalent to 128MW.
He said the project also involved replacing analogue control and protection panels with digital systems and extending the control room to accommodate the upgraded equipment.
Abdulaziz said the intervention was expected to improve electricity supply to homes, businesses and institutions in the affected areas, with an estimated 80,330 people expected to benefit, subject to electricity availability and distribution network capacity.
The Dan-Agundi and Dakata projects were funded by the World Bank and executed by the Jiangsu Power Design Institute in collaboration with TCN and the Federal Ministry of Power. Both were completed in June 2026.
The minister urged residents and host communities to protect electricity infrastructure against vandalism, warning that damage to transmission facilities could disrupt commercial activities, cause lost working hours and affect household activities.
“Public infrastructure serves all of us, and its protection requires the vigilance of all of us,” Tegbe said.
He commended TCN, the Nigerian Independent System Operator, Kano Electricity Distribution Company and the contractors for their contributions to the projects.
The minister also acknowledged the World Bank’s financial support and commended Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for cooperating with the Federal Government to facilitate infrastructure development in the state.
He said the projects formed part of the Federal Government’s efforts under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda to strengthen electricity infrastructure and support Kano’s growing industrial and commercial activities.
