TCN Expands Benin Transmission Capacity With New 330kV Power Lines in Edo
Oru Leonard
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commissioned the newly completed Ihovbor/Benin and Ihovbor/Ajaokuta 330kV Turn-In Turn-Out transmission lines at the Ihovbor Transmission Substation in Edo State, in a move aimed at strengthening electricity evacuation and improving grid reliability across the country.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Dr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, described the project as a major milestone in the expansion of Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure.
According to him, the newly completed 14-kilometre double-circuit transmission line connects the existing Benin/Ajaokuta 330kV transmission route to the Ihovbor substation, thereby creating two additional power routes within the Benin transmission corridor.
“The project has significantly improved operational flexibility on the transmission network and strengthened the resilience of power delivery in the Benin axis,” Abdulaziz said.
He explained that the project would enable TCN to evacuate electricity more efficiently from the Azura Power Plant and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company facility, while also reducing transmission bottlenecks and enhancing overall system reliability.
The TCN boss disclosed that the new infrastructure has added over 600 megawatts of evacuation capacity to the national grid, allowing electricity distribution companies to access more bulk power supply for industrial and residential consumers nationwide.
“The line was energised on April 23, 2026, and has remained operational since then. Customers of distribution companies are already benefiting from the additional power available on the network,” he stated.
Abdulaziz reiterated that TCN’s statutory role is to transmit electricity generated by power generation companies to distribution load centres.
“Our responsibility is to move power from generation stations to load centres, while distribution companies are responsible for taking the power to end users. With this project, more bulk electricity is now available for distribution to homes and industries,” he added.
He further reaffirmed TCN’s commitment to expanding the nation’s transmission infrastructure to meet growing electricity demand and prepare for future capacity growth, while also appealing to host communities to help safeguard transmission installations against vandalism.
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Energo Nigeria, Predrag Mihel, said the project involved the construction of 30 transmission towers fitted with twin Bison conductors capable of supporting up to 1.5 gigawatts of electricity from the NIPP and Azura power plants.
He attributed the successful completion of the project to strong collaboration between TCN and Energo Nigeria.
The General Manager, Engineering, Engr. Mojid Akintola, disclosed that although the project was awarded in 2017, implementation was delayed by right-of-way and funding challenges which have now been resolved.
Akintola commended the Ihovbor host community, Energo Nigeria, and the TCN management team for their support toward the successful completion of the project.
Similarly, the General Manager of Benin Region, Engr. Charles Iwuamadi, stated that the project adds more than 600MW of wheeling capacity to the region.
He clarified that TCN only transports bulk electricity and does not directly distribute power to consumers, noting that electricity distribution companies remain responsible for interfacing with end users.
Representing the Enogie of Ihovbor/Evbueka community, Elliot Imafido commended TCN for executing the project and appealed for greater employment opportunities for community indigenes as well as improved electricity supply to the host community.
The statement was signed by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN.
