By Ayomide Otitoju
The Federal Government has commissioned upgraded transmission infrastructure at Alausa and Lekki in Lagos, adding a combined 272 megawatts (MW) of bulk power capacity to two of the state’s major economic corridors.
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe commissioned the projects on Tuesday as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s transmission network and address infrastructure constraints in the power sector.
At Alausa, an existing 30MVA transformer was replaced with a new 100MVA unit, increasing the station’s total capacity from 135MVA to 205MVA. The upgrade also raised bulk power available to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) by 80MW.
At Lekki, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) installed two additional 60MVA, 132/33kV power transformers and nine new 33kV feeders. The project increased the substation’s 132/33kV capacity from 120MVA to 240MVA, representing an increase of about 192MW.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremonies, Tegbe said the projects reflected the administration’s deliberate strategy of identifying and addressing structural bottlenecks in the power sector.
“Identify the bottleneck. Invest in it. Remove the constraint. Unlock the capacity,” he said.
Tegbe said the upgrades were in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to tackling infrastructure challenges that have constrained Nigeria’s economic growth. He added that the government would continue to address ageing equipment and stranded power capacity across the country.
The Lekki project was executed by Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited with support from the World Bank. It also includes an additional 300MVA, 330/132kV transformer expected to be energised in November 2026.
TCN Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the Alausa project, also executed by Shanghai Electric under a World Bank-funded initiative, would provide more stable and reliable electricity to at least 70,000 residents through IKEDC once energised.
He said the upgrade would strengthen grid stability and enable more bulk power to reach distribution companies for onward supply within their franchise areas.
Abdulaziz said the project demonstrated TCN’s commitment to developing and sustaining a robust transmission network capable of meeting Nigeria’s growing electricity needs.
Tegbe commended TCN, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), IKEDC, Shanghai Electric Group and the World Bank for their contributions to the projects.
He also congratulated Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for maintaining an environment conducive to infrastructure investment in the state.
