The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has upgraded the Apapa Road 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Lagos, increasing its capacity threefold from 60MVA to 180MVA.
The upgrade, commissioned on Monday, by the Minister of Power, Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, is expected to significantly improve bulk electricity supply to some of Lagos’ major industrial and commercial areas.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the project represented a major milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen and modernise Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure.
According to him, the project was sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with TCN as part of efforts to reinforce the transmission network serving one of Lagos State’s busiest industrial corridors.
Abdulaziz said the installation and energisation of two new 60MVA power transformers, together with the deployment of modern Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), had raised the substation’s capacity from 60MVA to 180MVA.
He explained that the increased capacity would provide more bulk electricity for the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to distribute to customers in Apapa Causeway, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Apapa Wharf, Tin Can Island and other critical commercial areas within its franchise.
The TCN boss said the project had already contributed to improved quality of electricity supply, while supporting economic activities and productivity in Lagos State and the country.
He disclosed that the project was delivered by Takaoka Engineering Co. Ltd., a Japanese engineering and construction company responsible for the design, supply, installation and rehabilitation works under the Emergency Rehabilitation and Reinforcement of Lagos Transmission Substations project.
According to him, the Apapa Road substation upgrade formed a key component of the broader project.
He noted that the Grant Agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and JICA was signed on November 23, 2018, while implementation commenced in 2019 after preparatory surveys and grant mobilisation undertaken by Yachiyo Engineering Co. Ltd.
Abdulaziz commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Power for their support and commitment to improving Nigeria’s power sector.
He also appreciated the Lagos State Government for creating an enabling environment for the successful implementation of the project.
The TCN managing director said the development demonstrated the company’s commitment to modernising Nigeria’s transmission network, reducing technical losses and strengthening the national grid to support economic growth.
He expressed appreciation to JICA and the Government of Japan for the grant intervention, as well as the Federal Ministry of Power, Federal Ministry of Finance, TCN engineers, contractors and other stakeholders who contributed to the completion of the project.
Abdulaziz, however, appealed for similar grant support to be extended to other critical sections of the country’s transmission network.
He said additional interventions would enable TCN to sustain and optimise transmission operations nationwide in line with its mandate.
The TCN chief described the commissioning as a celebration of progress and international partnership, saying the upgraded facility would contribute to a more reliable energy future for Lagos and Nigeria.
The Apapa Road substation is expected to strengthen electricity transmission to strategic industrial, maritime and commercial activities within the Apapa axis, an area regarded as critical to Lagos’ economy and Nigeria’s trade activities.