FG Commissions 100MVA Transformer in Alausa, Boosts Ikeja Power Capacity by 80MW
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government has commissioned a new 100MVA, 132/33kV power transformer at the Alausa Transmission Substation in Lagos, increasing the substation’s total capacity from 135MVA to 205MVA and providing an additional 80MW of bulk power to the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC).
The Honourable Minister of Power, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, who commissioned the transformer on Tuesday, said the project was part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electricity transmission infrastructure and remove bottlenecks limiting power supply to businesses and households.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Lagos, Tegbe said the project was strategically important because Alausa serves one of the most economically and administratively significant corridors in Lagos State, with a high concentration of government institutions, businesses, industries, residential communities and other economic activities.
According to him, the Alausa 132/33kV Transmission Substation previously operated with a 60MVA, 45MVA and 30MVA transformer configuration, giving it a combined installed capacity of 135MVA, equivalent to approximately 108MW.
He explained that the replacement of the existing 30MVA transformer with the newly installed 100MVA transformer had raised the substation’s total 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,” the minister said.
Tegbe described the additional 80MW as more than a technical statistic, noting that the increased capacity would have a multiplier effect on businesses, industries, hospitals, schools, offices, markets, technology companies, malls, artisans and other electricity-dependent activities.
He said the intervention demonstrated the determination of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address infrastructure constraints that have continued to limit Nigeria’s economic potential.
The minister noted that the Alausa project was part of a broader programme of transmission investments being undertaken across the country.
He said the government had adopted a deliberate approach of identifying transmission bottlenecks, investing in critical infrastructure, removing constraints and unlocking available electricity capacity.
“Our transmission challenges did not emerge yesterday, and they will not disappear through one intervention,” Tegbe said, adding that several substations across the country still require rehabilitation, while transmission corridors require reinforcement and ageing transformers and associated equipment need replacement.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen transmission infrastructure in areas where it was constraining available power, expand substations requiring additional capacity and progressively rehabilitate or replace ageing equipment.
The minister commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for executing the capacity upgrade and its continuing efforts to strengthen the national transmission network.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) towards the coordinated, secure and efficient operation of the electricity system.
Tegbe further commended IKEDC for its role in translating the additional bulk power capacity into improved electricity services for consumers within its franchise area.
He praised Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited, which executed the project, as well as development and technical partners, particularly the World Bank, for their contributions to Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure development.
The minister also congratulated the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for creating an enabling environment for investments in critical infrastructure.
Tegbe reaffirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to transforming Nigeria’s electricity sector, saying the government would continue to support investments across the electricity value chain while prioritising critical transmission infrastructure.
He subsequently formally commissioned the 1x100MVA, 132/33kV power transformer and its associated facilities at the Alausa Transmission Station on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
