The Federal Government, in conjunction with the Kano State Government, has commissioned transmission infrastructure at the Walalambe, Kumbotso, Dan Agudi and Dakata substations in Kano State, increasing electricity wheeling capacity and strengthening power supply to industrial, commercial and residential areas.
The projects, commissioned on Thursday by the Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Tegbe, include a 2 x 40 MVA, 132/33 kV transformer installation at Walalambe and upgraded transformers at Kumbotso, comprising a 300 MVA, 330/132/33 kV transformer and a 100 MVA, 132/33 kV transformer.
The commissioning formed part of the Federal Government’s efforts, in partnership with the Kano State Government and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to expand transmission capacity, improve network reliability and accommodate growing electricity demand.
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Speaking at the ceremonies, Tegbe said the investments would strengthen electricity supply to businesses, industries and households while supporting economic growth and employment generation.
He said the projects were designed to relieve pressure on existing transmission facilities, provide additional supply points and improve the flexibility of the distribution network.
Walalambe
At Walalambe, the minister said the new 2 x 40 MVA, 132/33 kV transmission installation would improve electricity supply to Tokarawa Industrial Area, the Eastern Bypass, Maiduguri Road, Hadejia Road and adjoining communities.
According to him, the facility would also provide alternative supply arrangements for the Mariri, Jogana, Farm Centre and Zaria Road 33/11 kV injection substations, giving operators more options to manage supply and respond to operational constraints.
Tegbe said the project was particularly significant because it included a dedicated 33 kV feeder to Lee Group of Companies, an industrial enterprise that had operated off-grid for more than 30 years.
He said the development demonstrated the economic importance of transmission investments, noting that reliable electricity was essential for productive businesses to sustain operations, expand and create jobs.
Kumbotso
At Kumbotso, the minister said the installation of the new transformers would significantly increase the substation’s capacity to meet rising electricity demand across Kano metropolis and neighbouring communities.
He explained that, before the upgrade, Kumbotso had an installed transformation capacity of 600 MVA at the 330/132 kV level, comprising four 150 MVA transformers. At the 132/33 kV level, the substation had a capacity of 220 MVA, comprising three 60 MVA transformers and one 40 MVA transformer.
The project replaced one existing 150 MVA transformer with a 300 MVA, 330/132/33 kV transformer, while the existing 40 MVA transformer was replaced with a 100 MVA, 132/33 kV transformer.
With the upgrade, upstream transformation capacity increased from 600 MVA to 750 MVA, representing a 25 per cent increase, while downstream capacity rose from 220 MVA to 280 MVA, an increase of approximately 27.3 per cent. Tegbe said the improvements would provide additional capacity to accommodate previously unmet demand and enhance operational flexibility across the electricity network.
He added that the Kumbotso project had the potential to benefit at least 220,000 households, while providing a stronger electricity supply foundation for manufacturing, commerce, agricultural processing and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The minister said the projects reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering infrastructure that would support economic activities and improve the quality of life of Nigerians under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
He urged host communities to protect the facilities against vandalism, warning that damage to electricity infrastructure could disrupt businesses, cause lost working hours and affect household activities.
“Public infrastructure serves all of us, and its protection requires the vigilance of all of us,” he said.
Tegbe commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Kano Electricity Distribution Company and the project contractors for their contributions to the successful delivery of the projects.
He also acknowledged the World Bank for financing the Walalambe and Kumbotso projects, while recognising Atlantic Engineering and Construction Company Limited and China Energy Engineering Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute for their respective roles.
The minister further commended Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to development and cooperation with the Federal Government in facilitating infrastructure investments in the state.
He said the projects represented an important step towards building an electricity transmission network capable of supporting Kano’s growing industrial and commercial activities.
Corroborating the Minister of Power during the various commissioning ceremonies on Thursday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects represented a significant investment in strengthening Kano’s transmission network and improving the delivery of bulk electricity to distribution companies for onward supply to consumers.
He said the interventions would provide additional capacity for homes, businesses and industries while improving the operational flexibility and reliability of the transmission infrastructure serving Kano metropolis and adjoining communities.
At Walalambe, Abdulaziz said the installation of two 40 MVA, 132/33 kV transformers had provided a combined transformation capacity of 80 MVA, equivalent to approximately 64 megawatts.
He explained that the project, awarded in 2005, was conceived to address growing electricity demand and ease the load on the Dakata and Dan-Agundi transmission substations, which serve major areas of Kano metropolis.
According to him, the new facility would strengthen bulk electricity supply to Tokarawa Industrial Area, the Eastern Bypass, Maiduguri Road, Hadejia Road and adjoining communities through the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) network.
The substation also features six outgoing 33 kV feeders and alternative supply arrangements for the Mariri, Jogana, Farm Centre and Zaria Road 33/11 kV injection substations.
Abdulaziz said the additional infrastructure would provide alternative routes for electricity supply, improve network flexibility and help accommodate growing demand across the areas served.
He identified the dedicated 33 kV feeder provided for Lee Group of Companies, which had operated off-grid for more than 30 years, as one of the project’s notable benefits.
The connection would give the industrial company access to electricity from the national grid, potentially reducing its dependence on self-generation and supporting its industrial operations.
At Dakata, the TCN managing director said the installation of an additional 100 MVA, 132/33 kV transformer had increased the substation’s transformation capacity from 150 MVA to 250 MVA, representing a 66.7 per cent increase.
He explained that the substation was originally equipped with two 60 MVA transformers and one 30 MVA transformer before the new installation.
The upgrade, he said, would provide additional capacity to meet growing electricity demand within the Dakata Industrial Complex and adjoining areas, with the potential to benefit at least 70,000 households, subject to electricity availability and the capacity of the distribution network.
Abdulaziz added that the project included replacing the existing analogue control and protection panels with modern digital systems, as well as extending the control room to accommodate the upgraded equipment.
The improvements are expected to strengthen equipment monitoring, fault detection, protection and operational control while facilitating more efficient maintenance.
The Dakata project was funded by the World Bank and executed by China Energy Engineering Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute (JSPDI), as part of the joint implementation efforts of the Federal Ministry of Power and TCN.
Awarded in June 2021 and completed in June 2026, the project forms part of efforts to modernise critical transmission infrastructure and improve electricity delivery across the country.
At Dan-Agundi, Abdulaziz said the installation of a new 100 MVA, 132/33 kV transformer had restored and strengthened the substation’s capacity following a fire that damaged two of its three original transformers.
He explained that Dan-Agundi initially had three 60 MVA transformers, providing an installed capacity of 180 MVA, equivalent to approximately 144 MW.
However, the fire reduced its available transformation capacity to 60 MVA, equivalent to 48 MW, significantly constraining electricity supply to Dan-Agundi, the Emir’s Palace, Kano ancient town and adjoining communities.
With the installation of the new transformer, the substation’s available transformation capacity has increased from 60 MVA to 160 MVA, equivalent to 128 MW.
The project also included replacing the analogue control and protection panels with digital systems and extending the control room to accommodate the upgraded equipment.
Abdulaziz said the intervention would improve electricity supply to homes, businesses and institutions in the affected areas. The project is estimated to benefit approximately 80,330 people, subject to electricity availability and the capacity of the distribution network.
Like the Dakata project, the Dan-Agundi upgrade was funded by the World Bank, implemented by TCN in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power and executed by JSPDI. It was completed in June 2026.
At Kumbotso, the TCN boss said replacing an existing 150 MVA, 330/132 kV transformer with a 300 MVA, 330/132/33 kV unit, alongside replacing a 40 MVA transformer with a 100 MVA, 132/33 kV transformer, had significantly increased the substation’s capacity.
