FG Upgrades Alausa Substation, Adds 100MVA Transformer

The Federal Government has upgraded the Alausa Transmission Substation in Lagos with a new 100MVA transformer, raising the facility’s total capacity from 135MVA to 205MVA.

Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, commissioned the 1x100MVA, 132/33kV transformer on Tuesday, describing the project as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen transmission infrastructure and ease electricity supply constraints in major economic centres.

The upgrade, according to the minister, will increase the quantum of bulk power available to the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) by 80MW for distribution to consumers within its franchise area.

Tegbe said the strategic location of Alausa, which hosts government institutions, businesses, industries, hospitals, schools, markets and residential communities, made the investment necessary to support economic activities dependent on reliable electricity.

Before the upgrade, the substation had one 60MVA transformer, one 45MVA transformer and one 30MVA transformer, with a combined installed capacity of 135MVA, equivalent to about 108MW.

The replacement of the 30MVA transformer with the new 100MVA unit has increased the substation’s total installed capacity to 205MVA, equivalent to approximately 164MW.

“More importantly, it has increased the quantum of bulk power available to IKEDC by 80MW for onward delivery to consumers within its franchise area,” Tegbe said.

He said the additional capacity would go beyond improving the technical performance of the substation, as increased electricity availability would support businesses, industries and livelihoods.

“Our approach is therefore deliberate: identify the bottleneck, invest in it, remove the constraint and unlock the capacity,” the minister said.

Tegbe said the Federal Government would continue to identify transmission bottlenecks, expand substations requiring additional capacity and rehabilitate or replace ageing equipment.

He added that investments would be prioritised in areas with growing industrial and commercial demand.

The minister commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for executing the project and acknowledged the contribution of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to the coordinated and efficient operation of the electricity system.

He also charged IKEDC to ensure that the additional bulk power available from the upgrade translated into improved service for consumers.

Tegbe praised Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited, which executed the project, as well as the World Bank and other technical and development partners for their contributions.

He also commended the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for creating an enabling environment for infrastructure development and investment.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the project reflected the company’s commitment to strengthening and expanding the national transmission network.

Abdulaziz said the new transformer replaced the existing 30MVA, 132/33kV transformer, increasing the capacity of the affected transformer position by 70MVA.

He said the project was executed by Shanghai Electric Ltd under a World Bank-funded initiative that commenced in January 2021.

According to him, despite implementation challenges, TCN remained committed to completing the project because of its importance to the transmission network.

Abdulaziz said the transformer would provide more stable and reliable electricity to at least 70,000 residents in Alausa and surrounding areas through IKEDC once energised.

He said the upgrade would also increase the volume of bulk electricity TCN could wheel to distribution load centres, thereby supporting grid stability and improving electricity delivery.

“Beyond serving the immediate community, this upgrade meaningfully increases the quantum of bulk power that TCN can wheel to distribution load centres nationwide,” he said.

The TCN chief said the project aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrated the government’s efforts to address constraints within the power sector.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Minister of Power, the World Bank, Lagos State Government, contractors, engineers and other stakeholders involved in delivering the project.

Tegbe formally commissioned the transformer and associated facilities on behalf of the President and the Federal Government.

The Alausa project is part of wider efforts to expand transmission capacity, improve grid stability and increase the availability of bulk electricity to distribution companies across the country.