The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 120MVA transmission substation in Mashi, Katsina State, in a move aimed at addressing electricity supply challenges and strengthening the transmission network serving the area and neighbouring communities.
The new substation, to be developed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), will feature two 60MVA, 132/33kV power transformers, providing a combined transformation capacity of 120MVA, equivalent to approximately 96 megawatts, upon completion.
Residents and businesses in Mashi and surrounding communities have experienced inadequate electricity supply and poor voltage levels, affecting household activities, small businesses, farm produce preservation and essential public services.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Tegbe said the project was designed to bring improved electricity infrastructure closer to communities and support economic activities.
“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,” he said.
The minister explained that the project would strengthen the network’s ability to deliver available electricity within Katsina State and its environs, supporting productive activities and improving household welfare.
He disclosed that issues relating to wayleave and compensation had been satisfactorily resolved, with the project scheduled for completion on March 31, 2027.
Tegbe urged TCN, the contractor and supervising engineers to ensure that construction meets established quality and safety standards and is completed within the approved timeline.
“Our focus must be disciplined execution. Deliver on schedule, with safety and quality upheld throughout,” he said.
The minister also commended Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, for his support and partnership with the Federal Government in advancing infrastructure development in the state.
The Managing Director of TCN, Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the Mashi substation was part of the company’s response to longstanding electricity supply challenges affecting households, businesses and public services in the area.
He explained that the facility would bring bulk electricity supply closer to residents through the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), while providing additional capacity to accommodate future growth in demand.
Abdulaziz called on community leaders and residents to support the project and protect the infrastructure against vandalism.
He said the project’s value would ultimately be measured by its impact on people’s lives, including its potential to stimulate economic activities, create employment and expand opportunities for young people.
Kankia Substation Capacity Increased
In a related development, the minister commissioned two 60MVA, 132/33kV power transformers at the Kankia Transmission Substation, increasing its installed transformation capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA.
The upgrade, which represents a 150 per cent increase in installed capacity, is expected to ease transmission constraints and improve bulk electricity supply to KEDCO for onward distribution to consumers.
Tegbe described the intervention as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen critical electricity infrastructure under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
TCN’s managing director explained that the previous capacity had become insufficient as electricity demand increased across communities served by the substation.
He said the Kankia project also included an expanded control room, digital control and protection panels, an upgraded 33kV busbar system and additional outgoing feeders.
The improvements are expected to ease supply constraints in Kankia, Dutsinma, Danbatta and Musawa by increasing the availability of bulk electricity for onward distribution.
The project was 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 the contractor.
Minister Inspects Katsina Town Transmission Project
Tegbe also inspected the ongoing 2 × 100MVA, 132/33kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear transmission substation project in Katsina town.
Upon completion, the facility will provide 200MVA of installed transformation capacity, equivalent to approximately 160 megawatts, strengthening the network’s ability to deliver bulk electricity to KEDCO for distribution across Katsina town and neighbouring communities.
The project comprises two 100MVA power transformers, gas-insulated switchgear, protection and control systems, as well as associated civil and electrical infrastructure.
The GIS technology is designed to optimise space utilisation while supporting safe and reliable substation operations.
The three interventions form part of ongoing efforts to expand transmission capacity and improve the availability and delivery of electricity across Katsina State.