The federal government, on Friday, upgraded the power transmission network in Katsina State with the inauguration of additional transmission projects aimed at boosting electricity supply.

The projects, executed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), include two 60 MVA, 132/33 kV power transformers at the Kankia Substation and the groundbreaking ceremony for the 132/33 kV Mashi Substation.

The projects are expected to improve electricity supply in the state and increase the reliability and availability of bulk electricity supply to the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company for onward distribution to consumers.

The minister of power, Joseph Tegbe, said that the projects would also provide an opportunity for residents to process agricultural produce and sustain their livelihoods through improved electricity infrastructure.

“We are inaugurating two 60 MVA, 132/33 kV power transformers, installed in place of one existing 30 MVA transformer.

“With the remaining 30 MVA units, this raises the substation capacity from 60 MVA to 150 MVA, which is equivalent to 120 MW rolling capacity.

“This is a whopping 150 per cent increase in transmission capacity in the substation,” he said.

The minister said that the project represented practical progress under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the president is committed to strengthening critical infrastructure and ensuring that investments support production, create opportunities and improve the daily lives of Nigerians.

The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, commended President Tinubu for finding it fit to bring the three substations to the state.

Mr Radda said that the projects would boost electricity transmission and supply to the state.

“On behalf of Katsina State, myself, government and people we appreciate and thank Mr resident for bringing this projects to us,” he said.

Sule Abdulaziz, the managing director of TCN, said that as electricity demand increased, the available transmission capacity at the substation became inadequate.

Mr Abdulaziz said that the increased demand resulted in load suppression, limiting the substation’s ability to accommodate additional load.

He said that the upgraded Kankia Substation had addressed the transmission constraint by replacing one of the existing 30 MVA transformers with a 60 MVA power transformer.

“With the installation now completed, attention must remain on maintaining the equipment, preserving the integrity of the production system and ensuring that additional capacity is effectively utilised.

“TCN will continue to develop and maintain transmission infrastructure, working collaboratively with other relevant stakeholders and partners,” he said.

The minister of power also inspected the 2 × 100 MVA, 132/33 kV gas-insulated substation in the state. 

(NAN)