The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully energised two newly installed high-capacity power transformers at its 330/132/33kV Birnin Kebbi Transmission Substation, injecting an additional 120 megawatts (MW) into the national grid.
This achievement, which was officially confirmed in a statement by the TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, comes as part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen the transmission infrastructure and improve power delivery to millions of Nigerians.
According to the statement, the 100MVA and 150MVA power transformers were energised at 1:18 pm and 2:56 pm respectively on Friday, June 27, 2025. Their successful commissioning has increased the substation’s total capacity from 300MVA to 450MVA, a 50 percent increase that marks a substantial improvement in electricity transmission efficiency in the northwest region.
“With the energising of the new transformers, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company now has access to an additional 120MW of bulk power supply for onward distribution to customers in Kebbi, Sokoto, and surrounding areas,” Mbah stated.
She further noted that the upgrade not only serves local demand but also supports Nigeria’s regional energy commitments, enabling the TCN to sustain stable power delivery to Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, under existing bilateral agreements.
The improved supply is expected to significantly enhance electricity access across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors in the northwest, where persistent power outages and limited grid access have long hindered economic productivity.
The TCN’s intervention is seen as part of a broader grid expansion initiative under the current administration’s energy reform plan, aligned with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas and Power Sector Recovery Programmes. These include investments in modern infrastructure, substation upgrades, and a push toward greater energy reliability.
Mbah reiterated the company’s commitment to ongoing expansion and maintenance of the nation’s transmission system. “Our focus remains on ensuring a more efficient, resilient, and far-reaching grid infrastructure that can meet the power demands of today and the future,” she said.
Despite these gains, Nigeria’s power sector still grapples with persistent challenges such as electricity theft, gas supply issues, grid instability, and infrastructure vandalism. Between January and June 2025 alone, TCN reported over 170 incidents of vandalism targeting critical transmission lines and towers.
However, with steady projects like the Kebbi substation upgrade, the federal government aims to reverse this trend and stabilise national electricity supply. As of April 25, 2025, Nigeria’s peak generation reached 5,148.34MW — still far below national demand but reflective of incremental progress.
Power sector analysts have lauded the upgrade, citing it as a positive signal of policy alignment and improved technical coordination between generation, transmission, and distribution stakeholders.
As the TCN continues to enhance the national grid through targeted substation projects and regional capacity upgrades, attention now shifts to ensuring that the added capacity translates into improved service for end-users. Distribution companies, particularly Kaduna Electric, will play a crucial role in bridging the last-mile delivery to households and businesses.
In the coming months, TCN is expected to commission additional transformers and transmission lines across the country, with plans to prioritise underserved and strategic industrial zones.