The Federal Government has increased bulk electricity transmission capacity in Lagos by 208 megawatts (MW), following the inauguration of upgraded facilities at the Apapa and Ijora substations.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, inaugurated a 2×60MVA, 132/33kV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) at Apapa and two 100MVA, 132/33kV transformers at Ijora on Monday.
Tegbe said the projects would strengthen electricity supply to some of Lagos’ key economic corridors, supporting port operations, manufacturing, logistics, commercial activities and millions of consumers.
He said the upgraded Apapa facility had added about 96MW of bulk power capacity to the axis, while the Ijora upgrade increased the substation’s installed capacity from 90MVA to 230MVA, providing an additional 112MW.
According to him, the Apapa project, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under its Official Development Assistance programme, features modern GIS technology, new 132kV and 33kV switchgear, automated control systems and SCADA infrastructure.
The minister said the investment was critical to Nigeria’s ambition of achieving a $1 trillion economy, stressing that reliable electricity was essential to expanding industrial and commercial activity.
At Ijora, he said the additional capacity would improve electricity supply to areas including Ijora, Costain, Oyingbo, Customs and adjoining communities within the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) franchise area.
Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz, said the Apapa project had tripled the substation’s capacity from 60MVA to 180MVA, improving bulk power availability for Apapa Causeway, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Apapa Wharf and Tin Can Island.
He said the projects would strengthen TCN’s ability to transmit bulk electricity from generation stations to distribution load centres and meet growing demand.
JICA Chief Representative, Ishigame Keiji, described the project as a significant outcome of the bilateral partnership between Japan and Nigeria, saying it would contribute to a more resilient and efficient electricity transmission network.