By Busola Aro

The federal government has upgraded transmission substations in Ijora and Apapa, Lagos, adding 208 megawatts (MW) of bulk transmission capacity to the national grid.

The projects, inaugurated on Monday by Joseph Tegbe, minister of power, reportedly increased the Ijora substation’s capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA, while the Apapa Road facility rose from 60MVA to 180MVA.

The upgrades are expected to improve electricity supply to major commercial and industrial areas within the franchise area of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

The substation originally had three 30MVA transformers with a combined capacity of 90MVA, equivalent to about 72MW, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Two of the transformers were replaced with modern 100MVA units, increasing installed capacity to 230MVA and adding 112MWof bulk transmission capacity.

Speaking at the event, Tegbe said the projects were part of efforts to address transmission constraints that have limited the ability of the national grid to deliver available electricity to consumers.

He said the objective of the project is not just to generate more megawatts, but to create a power system that can reliably deliver electricity to “where it is needed, when it is needed, and at a quality and cost that supports economic activity”.

The minister said the Ijora facility had become inadequate as population, commercial activity, and the industrial base around the Eko DisCo franchise expanded.

“Today, we are changing that story,” Tegbe said.

He said the additional capacity would improve electricity supply to Ijora, Costain, Oyingbo, Customs and adjoining communities.

“For many years, transmission infrastructure has been one of the major constraints in our efforts to provide reliable electricity,” the minister said.

“We have generated electricity that cannot adequately be evacuated; we have had available generation constrained by transmission limitations; we have had growing demand without corresponding improvement of transmission capacity.

‘APAPA SUBSTATION CAPACITY TRIPLED TO 180MVA’

In Apapa, Tegbe said the original facility, commissioned in 1985, had aged and was eventually decommissioned, leaving the area dependent on an outdoor 60MVA transformer.

Tegbe said the project had increased bulk power availability in the axis by about 96MW.

“Electricity has economic value only when it reaches the consumer who can use it,” he said.

“This administration is therefore determined to strengthen critical substations, reinforce transmission corridors, remove bottlenecks and chokepoints, improve system resilience and create the capacity required to evacuate and deliver Nigeria’s available electricity.”

On his part, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, managing director and chief executive officer of the TCN, said the projects demonstrate the government’s commitment to strengthening critical electricity infrastructure.

“Electricity remains the bedrock of economic growth,” Abdulaziz said.

“Every thriving industrial cluster, commercial district, healthcare facility, educational institution, and household depends on a steady and reliable power supply for optimal performance.”

He said the Ijora upgrade would provide capacity for future load growth, reduce network constraints and improve supply reliability.

At Apapa, Abdulaziz said the installation of two new 60MVA transformers and modern GIS equipment had tripled the substation’s capacity from 60MVA to 180MVA.

“This translates to a significant increase in the quantum of bulk power available for Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to offtake for onward delivery to its customers in Apapa Causeway, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Apapa Wharf, Tin Can Island, and other critical commercial zones,” he said.

Abdulaziz said the Ijora project was funded by the World Bank, while the Apapa upgrade was supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

He appealed for similar grant assistance to upgrade other critical sections of the transmission network.

The government had secured support from JICA under its official development assistance programme to rehabilitate and reinforce the facility.

The TCN said the upgraded Apapa substation includes two 60MVA transformers, new 132kV, and 33kV gas-insulated switchgear, a control building, and modern protection, automation and SCADA systems.

The inauguration ceremonies were attended by representatives of the Japanese government and JICA, officials of the ministry of power, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Lagos state government, and representatives of Eko and Ikeja electricity distribution companies.

Source: TheCable