FG Sets 12-month Target To Boost Electricity Supply To Northern States

The federal government has set a 12-month target to improve electricity supply across the northern states, with major infrastructure projects and policy initiatives underway to enhance power generation, transmission, and distribution in the region.

Central to this plan is the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN) ongoing reconductoring of the Kumbotso-Dakata 132kV Double-Circuit Transmission Line in Kano State. The project involves replacing obsolete conductors with high-capacity ACCC-Silvassa conductors, installing Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) for enhanced communication and monitoring, and deploying durable composite polymer insulators designed for harsh environments. The upgrade is expected to improve power reliability to critical industrial hubs like the Dakata Industrial Zone and the upcoming Walalambe Transmission Substation.

General manager of Transmission Services at TCN, Engr. Ahmed Sharifai, while speaking on the project’s significance said, “This is not merely about infrastructure renewal; it is about restoring confidence in our transmission network and empowering industries and communities through reliable electricity” the company’s general manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, stated on Saturday.

This project is part of TCN’s efforts to enhance power infrastructure and economic development in the region. Similar projects include the reconductoring of the Kankia-Katsina 132kV transmission line, expected to last between five and six weeks, and the upgrade of transmission lines in Port Harcourt, aimed at increasing line capacity and reducing power interruptions.

The TCN has also completed 22 power transmission projects and upgrades since 2020, including delivering four units of 132 kilovolts transmission substations and upgrading 15 existing substations with higher capacity transformers and equipment .

TCN is committed to contributing its quota to the country’s economic and social development through impactful transmission infrastructural development.

Recall that TCN’s managing director, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, had highlighted the company’s broader commitment to expanding transmission capacity, stating:

“We are progressively expanding our transmission capacity and targeting 10,000 megawatts transmission capability in less than two years. Our ongoing projects, including the SCADA monitoring system which is 69 per cent complete, will enhance real-time grid management and improve efficiency,” Mbah stated.

The federal government’s strategy also includes boosting generation capacity in the north, with projects such as the Makurdi hydropower plant and the Kaduna thermal power station, alongside plans to develop renewable energy sources like the Katsina wind farm. These efforts align with the National Integrated Electricity Policy and the Electricity Act 2023, which seek to modernise Nigeria’s power sector and promote sustainable energy.

“TCN successfully transmitted new peak generation and maximum daily energy to distribution companies nationwide, underscoring our commitment to elevating Nigeria’s power supply under President Tinubu’s administration.”