By Gold Jeremiah
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has commissioned two 60MVA power transformers at the Kankia Transmission Substation in Katsina State and performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 120MVA transmission substation in Mashi.
The projects, executed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, are aimed at strengthening electricity transmission infrastructure and improving bulk power supply across the state.
At Kankia, Tegbe said the installation of the two 60MVA, 132/33kV transformers has increased the substation’s installed transformation capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, equivalent to approximately 120 megawatts.
“We are commissioning two 60MVA, 132/33kV power transformers, installed in place of one existing 30MVA transformer. This raised the substation’s installed capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, equivalent to approximately 120MW,” he said.
According to him, the 150 per cent increase in capacity would provide room to meet previously suppressed load demand and strengthen bulk electricity supply to the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) for onward delivery to consumers.
The Minister described the intervention as a practical demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places reliable electricity at the centre of Nigeria’s economic development.
“This is practical progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Tegbe said.
The project was funded by the World Bank and delivered through the Federal Ministry of Power and TCN, with China Energy Engineering Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute as contractor.
Speaking at the event, TCN Managing Director, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the Kankia upgrade addressed capacity limitations in the transmission network serving Katsina State.
He explained that the substation was initially equipped with two 30MVA transformers, providing a combined capacity of 60MVA, or approximately 48MW, which became insufficient as demand grew.
“As electricity demand increased within the area supplied by KEDCO, the available transformation capacity became insufficient, leading to suppressed load and limiting the substation’s ability to accommodate additional demand,” Abdulaziz said.
He added that the project also involved expanding the control room to accommodate digital control and protection panels, replacing the previous analogue systems, while the 33kV busbar system was expanded with additional outgoing feeders to improve operational capacity.
Abdulaziz said the improvements are expected to ease supply constraints in Kankia, Dutsinma, Danbatta and Musawa.
At Mashi, Tegbe performed the groundbreaking for a new 2x60MVA, 132/33kV transmission substation, which will provide a combined transformation capacity of 120MVA, equivalent to approximately 96MW, upon completion.
The facility is expected to strengthen the transmission network serving Mashi and neighbouring communities, where residents have experienced inadequate supply and poor voltage levels.
“Today, we break ground in Mashi with a clear purpose: to build electricity infrastructure that supports livelihoods and gives this community greater room to grow,” Tegbe said.
He disclosed that issues relating to wayleave and compensation had been satisfactorily resolved, with completion scheduled for March 31, 2027.
He urged TCN, the contractor and supervising engineers to ensure strict compliance with quality standards, safety requirements and the project timeline.
“Our focus must be disciplined execution. Deliver on schedule, with safety and quality upheld throughout,” he said.
He also commended Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, for his support and partnership with the Federal Government.
Abdulaziz said the Mashi substation is TCN’s response to longstanding electricity challenges affecting households, businesses and public services in the area.
“For many years, Mashi and its neighbouring communities have experienced inadequate electricity supply and poor voltage levels, challenges that have affected households, farm produce preservation, small businesses, and essential public services,” he said, urging community leaders to protect the infrastructure against vandalism.
Meanwhile, the Minister also inspected the ongoing 2x100MVA, 132/33kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) transmission substation project in Katsina town, which upon completion will provide 200MVA, equivalent to approximately 160MW, to strengthen bulk supply to KEDCO for distribution across Katsina town and adjoining communities.
