KANKIA, Katsina — The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has commissioned two 60MVA power transformers at the Kankia Transmission Substation in Katsina State, raising its capacity by 150 percent.

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‎Tegbe also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 120MVA transmission substation in Mashi.

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‎The projects by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, are aimed at strengthening electricity transmission and improving bulk power supply in Katsina State.

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‎At Kankia, Tegbe said the two new 60MVA, 132/33kV transformers replaced one 30MVA unit and increased installed capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, equivalent to about 120 megawatts.

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‎”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,” Tegbe said.

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‎He said the increase would meet suppressed load demand and improve bulk supply to the Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDCO, for delivery to consumers.

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‎Tegbe described the project as practical progress under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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‎”This is practical progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

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‎The project was funded by the World Bank and executed by the Federal Ministry of Power and TCN, with China Energy Engineering Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute as contractor.

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‎TCN Managing Director, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the upgrade addressed capacity limits at Kankia.

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‎He said the substation previously had two 30MVA transformers, totaling 60MVA or about 48MW, which became insufficient as demand grew under KEDCO.

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‎”As electricity demand increased within the area supplied by KEDCO, the available transformation capacity became insufficient, leading to suppressed load,” Abdulaziz said.

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‎He said the project also expanded the control room to accommodate digital control and protection panels, replacing analogue systems. The 33kV busbar and outgoing feeders were also expanded to improve operations.

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‎He said the upgrade would ease supply constraints in Kankia, Dutsinma, Danbatta and Musawa.

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‎At Mashi, Tegbe broke ground for a new 2x60MVA, 132/33kV transmission substation with combined capacity of 120MVA, equivalent to about 96MW.

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‎The substation is expected to address inadequate supply and low voltage in Mashi and nearby communities.

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‎”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.

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‎He said wayleave and compensation issues had been resolved and completion is scheduled for March 31, 2027.

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‎Tegbe urged TCN, the contractor and engineers to maintain quality, safety and timelines.

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‎”Our focus must be disciplined execution. Deliver on schedule, with safety and quality upheld throughout,” he said.

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‎He commended Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda for supporting federal infrastructure projects.

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‎Abdulaziz said Mashi and neighboring communities had suffered poor supply affecting households, businesses and public services.

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‎”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.

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‎He said the new substation would bring bulk power closer to residents through KEDCO and accommodate future demand. He urged residents to protect the infrastructure from vandalism.

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‎”The true value of this project will ultimately be measured by its impact on people’s lives,” he said.

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‎Meanwhile, Tegbe also inspected the ongoing 2x100MVA, 132/33kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear, GIS, transmission substation in Katsina town.

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‎The project will provide 200MVA or about 160MW capacity to strengthen bulk supply to KEDCO for Katsina town and surrounding communities.

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‎It includes two 100MVA transformers, gas-insulated switchgear, protection and control systems and civil works.