The Federal Government has commissioned two 60MVA power transformers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Kankia Transmission Substation in Katsina State, increasing its installed capacity by 150 per cent.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, who commissioned the project, also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 120MVA transmission substation in Mashi.
The projects, 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, are aimed at strengthening electricity transmission infrastructure and improving bulk power supply to communities across Katsina State.
Tegbe 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.
The minister said the installation of the two 60MVA, 132/33kV transformers in Kankia had increased the substation’s installed transformation capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, equivalent to approximately 120 megawatts.
He said: “We are commissioning two 60 MVA, 132/33 kV power transformers, installed in place of one existing 30 MVA transformer. This raised the substation’s installed capacity from 60 MVA to 150 MVA, equivalent to approximately 120 MW. This is practical progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He added that the 150 per cent increase in transformation 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.
Tegbe, while performing the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 2×60MVA, 132/33kV transmission substation in Mashi, expected to provide a combined transformation capacity of 120MVA, which is equivalent to approximately 96MW upon completion, said it would strengthen the transmission network serving Mashi and neighbouring communities, where residents have experienced inadequate electricity supply and poor voltage levels.
He commended Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State for his support and partnership with the Federal Government in advancing infrastructure development in the state.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the Kankia upgrade addressed capacity limitations in the transmission network serving Katsina State.
He said the project, which also involved expanding the control room to accommodate digital control and protection panels, replacing the previous analogue systems, was expected to ease supply constraints in Kankia, Dutsinma, Danbatta and Musawa by increasing the availability of bulk electricity for onward distribution.
“As electricity demand increased within the area supplied by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), the available transformation capacity became insufficient leading to suppressed load and limiting the substation’s ability to accommodate additional demand.”
Abdulaziz said the Mashi substation was 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 added.
He urged community leaders and residents to support the project and protect the infrastructure against vandalism.
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